The time I am writing this, I should have been in South Africa. More precisely, I should have been somewhere in the Cape Winelands, visiting the amazing wine estates, indulging in local wines and excellent food.
But we all know, times are not normal and instead I am home braving the cold German winter.
To find some consolidation, I decided to crack open this lovely bottle of Muratie’s Cuvée Mack Black.
About Muratie Wine Estate
I might sound like a broken record constantly praising the astonishing South African Cape Winelands but honestly, there are only few wine regions in the world able to match the many top-notch wine and food experiences coupled with an incredible landscape and warm welcome of the locals.
There are now more than 800 wine farms across the Western Cape, including those looking back at several centuries of history along with the new ones still popping up. It is this diversity of old and new that gives the area a particular drive and offers something for everybody to be explored.
If you wonder where to start, I can wholeheartedly recommend this little gem.
Muratie Wine Estate, nestled in the beautiful Knorhoek Valley just about 10 kilometres north of Stellenbosch is without any doubt one of the most enchanting historic wine farms across the South African Winelands.
The estate goes back goes back to 1685, when Governor Simon van der Stel granted the land to Laurens Campher. This makes Muratie one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa, although the farm was not always known by this name.
After changing hands various times, Muratie was eventually bought by the Melck family in 1763 and today belongs to the Melck family trust.
Though winemaking at Muratie today is state-of-the-art, on-site there is still a lot to spot that goes back to the early days. Including the farm’s very first building, once the home of Laurens Campher and his family along with a century-old oak tree next to this building planted by his wife Ansela.
Visiting Muratie today, expect to find the cutest historic Cape Dutch buildings scattered around a small cobble-stoned courtyard, a tasting room and wineshop hidden in the old cellar (possibly including some of the original cobwebs) spotting lots of old bottles, a lovely tree-shaded terrace along with an amazing art gallery which has found its home in one of the historic buildings.
Review: Muratie Estate Cuvée Mack Black on White
Muratie Estate Cuvée Mack Black on White is a Bordeaux-style cuvée made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
In the glass, the wine displays a heavy body of dark red. Initially, it exhibits spicy aromas of black pepper and tobacco whilst after a while concentrated notes of blackberries and green pepper develop.
On the palate, there is a subtle elegance and integration of dark berries and spicy hints.
The wine is best served at 13 – 18°C.
Food pairing: Muratie Estate Cuvée Mack Black on White pairs well with fried meat, game, or spicy cheese.
Carrots and Tigers 