Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 vs Weingut Ernst Blaufrankisch Ried Fabian 2017

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet from one of South Africa's most historic and celebrated estates, in the hands of the Myburgh family since 1756 and now in its eighth generation under Hannes Myburgh. Positioned just five kilometres from False Bay, the cooling maritime influence of the estate lends its wines their signature refinement, structure and longevity. Why You'll Love It The name Meerlust translates to 'pleasure of the sea', a nod to the estate's unique coastal position south of Stellenbosch. Eight generations of thoughtful, detail-driven winemaking have established Meerlust as one of the Cape's most respected names, and the Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark expression of what the estate does best. Structured, elegant and built for the long term, this is a wine that rewards patience and repays attention. The 2020 vintage showed exceptional clarity, concentration and structural potential. Vineyard & Production Fruit is drawn from three key parcels on the property. The Compagniesdrift vineyard sits on a warm, north-facing slope where weathered granite soils create wines of expressive aromatics and bold structure, with coarse, gravelly texture and generous soil depth encouraging slow, even ripening. The River Terraces feature sandy soils threaded with rounded stones, offering exceptional root penetration and the estate's widest diurnal temperature range, enhancing freshness and intricate flavour development. The wine is vinified parcel by parcel, with each block hand-picked and fermented separately before racking into barrel for six months of malolactic fermentation. The final blend is then assembled and returned to barrel for a further twelve months, with half in new French oak. Tasting Notes Deep, youthful colour with an intense garnet rim. The nose is layered with dark and red fruits alongside hints of oyster shell and kelp, distinctive hallmarks of Meerlust Cabernet. On the palate, ripe blueberries meet finely wov