Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A solid, grippy version, and a bit of a throwback, with dark charcoal and well-singed cedar notes lining the dark currant and plum sauce flavors. Shows a loamy echo through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2010 Anthonij Rupert Optima offers a good look into South Africa's ability to produce Médoc-styled wines. This wine shows pleasing blackcurrants and a note of flowers. Drinks very well now and would be wonderful with lighter meat dishes. (Tasted: August 11, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Originally named Franschhoek meaning the “French Corner” because it was home to the influx of French Huguenots, today the valley contains many historic cellars and is an important tourist location because of its proximity to Cape Town.
This valley falls to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains. Streams from the slopes flow down to the valley floor, converging to form the Berg River. The area excels in the production of full-bodied reds.