Journey's End 'The Steam Train' Merlot 2022/23, Western Cape

Home to lauded subregions like Stellenbosch, South Africa’s Coastal Region comes with serious pedigree: the first grape vines were planted here by the French Huguenots in the 1690s. Over 300 years later, the Gabb family fell in love with a picturesque farm in the Schapenberg Hills, and set about making great wines on the same terroir. Crafted by an award-winning winemaker, Leon Esterhuizen, this bottling comes from 20-year-old sustainably farmed Merlot vines planted on south-facing soils. Deep purple in hue, the wine shows enticing aromas of blackcurrant pastilles, mulberry, cinnamon and white pepper. Flavours of blueberry, cherry, plum and roasted black olive are paired with rounded tannins and an elegant finish. Crack it open with beef or lamb.