Boschendal

Although the title deed for ‘Bossendaal’ dates back to 1685, evidence of the earliest inhabitants of the Franschhoek valley date back to the stone ages some 700,000 years ago.

But it is with the first official owner, French Huguenot Jean le Long that our heritage unfolds in the annals of time. From the early days under ownership of the De Villiers family who laid the farming foundations and built the historic Manor House to the later custodianship of powerful mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes and the formidable era of the Rhodes Fruit Farms, the common thread in these fascinating chronicles is the distinct sense of place that shaped the dream that we are living today.

After Rhodes’s death in 1902, the De Beers mining company continued to manage the farms for forty years before the estate was sold to Sir Abe Bailey and afterwards to a syndicate. When Anglo-American Corporation took over the farms in 1969 a massive redevelopment program was initiated.

The finest plant material improved the vineyards, the homestead restored and renovated reopening as a national monument, and substantial investment in the wine cellars elevated the quality and image of the Boschendal Estate establishing it as a popular fine wine and food destination.

The new millennium saw the latest changing of the guard as a carefully appointed consortium took the reins from Anglo American in 2003. This Consortium has a deep dedication and understanding of the gravitas of history under their care, with a firm commitment to the environment and social upliftment for the conservation and sustainable progress of Boschendal into this century and beyond.

Blanc De Noir

Bouquet: This Wine Presents Complex Red Berry Fruit Notes.

Tasting Notes: An Appealing Pale Salmon Colour Leads To Bright Red Fruit, Strawberry And Red Berries. Good Freshness, Balance And Drinkability. Crisp And Dry, But With A Pleasant Hint Of Fruit Sweetness. Ageing Potential: Enjoy Within One To Three Years From Vintage. Food Suggestions:

A Beautifully Balanced Fruity Blend With Broad Drinking Appeal.

Best Served Chilled For Anytime Casual Drinking. Recommended With Oily Antipasti Dishes Like Roasted Brinjal, Tempura Calamari Or Smoked Chicken Breast With Haloumi Or Humus.

Blend Information: A Classic Blend Of Noble Red Wine Varieties

Chardonnay

Tasting notes: Generous fleshy yellow stone fruit, Orange blossoms and a hint of citrus on the nose reveals a substantial fruit core packed with zesty lemon and line on the palate enriched with discreet dry cereal and sweet honey.

Food suggestions: Ideal to drink chilled on its own or delicious with al fresco summer luncheons, mezze platters, grilled calamari roast chicken and even lightly curried dishes.

1685 Shiraz

Colour: Dark ruby with a vibrant pink rim. Bouquet:

Generous red fruit with hints of cassis and pepper on the nose.

Tasting notes: Sumptuous entry with concentrated mulberry and fleshy plum fruit and white pepper well integrated with oak spice intrigue to the long succulent fruity finish.

Ageing potential: Soft ripe tannins give fullness and richness to the wine making it exceptionally easy to drink, whilst still retaining structure to support at least 5 years in the bottle

Le Bouquet

Bouquet: Tropical pineapple-led fruit and peach with spicy undertones, and a lingering floral aroma of honeysuckle and frangipani.

Tasting notes: This medium-sweet wine has a delicate freshness and a juicy fruit core, embracing characters of peach and apricot with hints of cinnamon and honey.

Tantalising vibrancy and smooth, with an uncloying tangerine finish. Ageing potential: Ready to drink now, this wine will develop intriguing complexity over another two to three years. Concentration will allow for up to 3 years.

Blend information: A blend of Muscat varieties, Chenin Blanc & Chardonnay

Rachelsfontein Chenin Blanc

Bouquet: Exotic mango, peach and pineapple aromas with hints of limey citrus.

Tasting notes: A beautiful fruit core of elegant peach-infused citrus characteristics with a hint of honey-glazed nuts.

A well-balanced, full-bodied wine with a long, lingering finish.

Ageing Potential: Drink now, or age for another three to five years to evolve an intriguing and lingering complexity.