Winemaker Notes
Arboretum is crafted from the fruit of the organically farmed estate vineyards in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch. It is a blend of the best barrels the vintage gives the winemaker. This rich, smooth Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux-style blend displays lovely blackberry, black cherry, and tobacco notes on the nose. On the palate, it boasts a core of opulent plum and cassis fruit, with firm tannins providing great texture and structure.
Blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2019 Botanica Wines ARBORETUM RED from Stellenbosch exhibits a medium ruby profile and opens with savory spice aromas accented by a hint of licorice, offering excellent depth; medium to full bodied and not shy on the palate, it carries a firm yet succulent structure with present tannins supporting layers of black fruit and subtle oak in the background; the finish is sturdy and persistent, making it a natural with braised short ribs or grilled lamb shoulder with rosemary. (Tasted: April 3, 2026, 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.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.