Platter 5-star glory for Hartenberg's The Mackenzie

Platter 5-star glory for Hartenberg's The Mackenzie


24 November 2010 by Hartenberg Estate

Hartenberg's classically crafted Bordeaux-style blend, The Mackenzie 2007, named after the family who have been the custodians of this Stellenbosch wine estate since 1986, has joined the exclusive Platter 5-star club.

Listed as a 5-star wine in the 2011 Platter's South African Wine Guide, the wine is described as follows: "Sultry, tight knit bramble fruits under a veil of fine-grained tannins, but dazzling fruit purity suggests immense please in time."

The Mackenzie 2007 is a richly structured blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with Merlot (7%) and Malbec (7%). The wine shows strong blackcurrant notes with delightful scents of violets and rich aromas of dark chocolate. The palate reveals a mélange of vanillin oak flavours imparted during 22 months in French Oak barrels intertwined with black and red fruit.

Winemaker Carl Schultz, known for making wines that can go the distance, recommends that you squirrel this wine away for eight to 12 years to allow it to reach its full potential.

With an impressive maturation cellar, South Africa's largest privately owned underground cellar with a capacity to hold around 150 000 bottles, Hartenberg is in the privileged position to hold back their red wines, allowing them to mature under ideal conditions prior to release.

Hartenberg Estate is situated on the Bottelary Road off the R304 to Stellenbosch. Open for tastings, picnic lunches and wetland walks from Mondays to Saturdays, but 7 days a week from December. Cellar tours are by appointment only.

Contact Tel: (021) 865-2541, email: info@hartenbergestate.com or visit www.hartenbergestate.com