Tasting at Meerendal with John Collins Wines

John Collins, one of the most respected independent wine negociants in the Cape,
has taken on the account of Meerendal in Durbanville

We were invited to taste the wines he will be adding to his impressive list
Winemaker and GM of Meerendal, Wade Roger-Lund, has always made wine of quality

The line up on the tasting room counter
We began with the Meerendal 2023 Cap Classique Rosé
 which has a lovely crisp and dry zing on the palate and a hint of strawberry to finish

The Meerendal 2024 Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc has all the green aromatics this grape produces
It's crisp and green and full of character, with long flavours

The 2023 Meerendal Cellar Select Pinotage Rosé in a classic Provence shape bottle

Its made in the Cap Classique method then put through malolactic fermentation

Pinotage shows on the nose with some floral notes and it has a lovely texture and mousse. Very French in style

The 2025 Sauvignon blanc, just released, is clean and green on the nose which draws you in
Clean and and crisp on the palate, with pyrazines in layers, some minerality and a hint of chalk on the end
A splendid wine for food especially fish and seafood. Expect to see this on good restaurant lists

It includes some specials

The 2024 Chapel Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented with lees on the nose and just a hint of golden oak

Complex and textured with layers of crisp fruit and wood, this will age so well. One for the cellar

The Meerendal 2023 Pinotage has perfume of roses and violets on the nose
A lovely full palate of good berry fruit entices you, good dark oak supports and shows at the end of the palate
Layered with chalky tannin, it will last and is a good food wine

The 2024 Heritage Block Pinotage has violets, wood and minerality to draw you in, juicy with berry fruit,
chalky tannins and long ripe fruit flavours and quality

The Meerendal 2023 Shiraz is sweet and spicy on the nose, with red berry and plum fruit
which follows through on the palate with tannins, chalk, pepper and some heat on the end

The Loft 2023 Cape Blend has perfume of roses and jasmine, followed by good berry fruit
The wine has good red fruit, depth, length and lasting quality with chalk, tannins and supporting wood on the end

There were some good platters of cold meats and cheeses set out for us to enjoy

And some tiny moist cupcakes to follow

The 2023 Pinot Noir really impressed us. It has a lovely nose with lots of class, cherry and good wood notes

Good to savour on the palate too with layers of superb fruit gently supported by good oak,

those long Pinot fruit flavours guiding you to drink more.   And to eat

Future bottlings will, we were told, be in the traditional Burgundy shape bottle

Wade with restauranteurs from The Hussar Grill in Durbanville

Wade talking to members of the wine and restaurant trades

Sommelier Siphokazi Moyaphi from Tokara Restaurant diligently making notes

General manager and cellarmaster Wade Roger-Lund with John Collins

And the splendid view of the Helderberg mountains over the winter vineyards

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