Rustenberg is one of South Africa’s most historic and respected wine estates, with a winemaking tradition stretching back to the 18th century, with continuous bottled wine production since 1892. Among its flagship wines is the John X Merriman, a Bordeaux-style red blend named in honor of John X. Merriman, who bought the farm in 1892 during the devastating phylloxera crisis and helped revitalize the vineyards near Stellenbosch. This wine showcases fruit exclusively from the Rustenberg estate and typically blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller portions of varieties like Petit Verdot and Malbec, reflecting the character of each vintage. Aged for around 20 months in French oak, it combines structure and finesse, making it both approachable young and capable of aging.