Muratie Releases New Vintages

Monday, 27 June, 2016
Muratie Wine Estate
Both wines honouring the Melck family who are inextricably linked to this historic estate.

At Muratie, the passion for preserving the estate’s rich heritage and centuries-old history is captured in every nook and cranny of the farm, with the wines honouring the many characters affiliated with the historic estate. One name inextricably linked with the Muratie story is that of the Melck family.

The Muratie Shiraz is named after Ronnie Melck, one of the great characters of the South African wine industry with a legendary palate, warm personality and an instinctive flair for winemaking, who particularly loved Shiraz. Ronnie Melck purchased Muratie in 1987, thus returning the gracious estate to the Melck family after almost a century.

The Muratie Chardonnay honours Isabella Melck, granddaughter of Ronnie Melck and eldest daughter of current custodian Rijk Melck, who lives on the estate with her family and is infused with the passion for wine and the land.

MURATIE RONNIE MELCK SHIRAZ 2013

The Story: As a direct descendant of Martin Melck - one of the Cape’s greatest landowners and farmers whose family were custodians of Muratie between 1763 and 1897 - Ronnie Melck fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased Muratie in 1987. Ronnie had first come across the estate, and its delightful owner George Canitz, when, as a student at Stellenbosch University, he had to buy wine for his ‘koshuis’ dance. Ronald (Ronnie) Rijk Melck, became the 21st title holder of Muratie and, in doing so welcomed it back into the Melck fold and rekindled a century’s old love affair with the historic farm. This very popular wine man initiated the redevelopment of Muratie, including a vineyard replanting programme which has taken the farm to what it is today. Muratie’s wines, in the words of the late Ronnie Melck, are “humble, honest and full of integrity, with quality being the only answer”.

In the Cellar: The wine is made in traditional open fermenters which enable plunging and pump-overs to be done with ease. The wine is matured for 20 months in 90% French oak (30% new) and 10% American oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: Bright and enticing, this deep ruby red wine has an abundance of spice on the nose (lots of black and white pepper) with hints of dark chocolate and rich fruit cake. The palate has plenty of black plummy fruit with some prunes, smoked meats and mulberry notes, all wrapped up in silky tannins with smoky spicy oak discreetly in the background. A lengthy finish suggests this wine has plenty of potential for ageing.

Ageing Potential: A wonderful wine now and will improve for the next 8-10 years.

Food Suggestion: A charcuterie platter of free-range meats would be just the thing.

Retail Price: The Muratie Ronnie Melck Shiraz retails nationally for approximately R140.

MURATIE ISABELLA CHARDONNAY 2015

The Story: Ronnie Melck left the Muratie legacy in trust to his family and the farm is now managed full-time by his son, Rijk, aided by his brother and sister, Anton and Charla, and their mother Annatjie, ‘chief of aesthetics at Muratie’, who lives in the Muratie Manor House. Rijk and his wife Kim, who looks after the Farm Kitchen restaurant at Muratie, also live on the farm with their two daughters, Isabella and Catherine. The elegant Burgundian-style Muratie Chardonnay, which appeals to both wooded and unwooded Chardonnay drinkers, is named after Rijk and Kim Melck’s elegant eldest daughter, Isabella and Catherine. The elegant Burgundian-style Muratie Chardonnay, which appeals to both wooded and unwooded Chardonnay drinkers, is named after Rijk and Kim Melck’s elegant eldest daughter, Isabella.

Awards: Double Platinum and Top 100 SA Wines 2016 status at the National Wine Challenge Top 100 SA Wines 2016

In the Cellar: After the alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation and spends 9 months in wood before racking and blending. 

Tasting Notes:  This complex and intriguing wine starts to bewitch and beguile your senses before the glass is even raised.  Breathe in the heady scents of caramelised pineapples, hazelnuts, citrus fruit and cream before taking a mouthful of ripe, yellow tropical fruits, marmalade and lemon meringue pie supported by cream spice and vanilla, all of which linger together into an endless finish. 

Food Suggestion: Pair it with only the very best - perhaps the freshest of fish, simply grilled with fragrant, homemade lemon butter.

Ageing Potential:  Perfect to enjoy now and will improve for the next 5 years.

Retail Price: The Muratie Isabella Chardonnay retails nationally for approximately R145.

A VISIT TO MURATIE

There are enchanting places where one can escape the hustle and bustle for a while and enter another world, and Muratie is one of those treasures. Hidden away in the exquisite Knorhoek valley, lying at the foot of the Simonsberg with a perfect view of Table Mountain, Muratie is as old as history itself, with its almost tangible unique old world ambience. At Muratie, the Melck family welcome you 7 days a week into a unique and magical environment to enjoy their well-loved wines, great food and warm country hospitality.

The many and varied attractions at Muratie include:

  • Wine tasting daily between 10am and 5pm in Muratie’s rickety cob-webbed old-world tasting room
  • Wine and chocolate pairing
  • The Melck family’s home-made preserves and treats for sale at the tasting room;
  • The Farm Kitchen restaurant;
  • Winery and history tours by appointment;
  • GP Canitz Art Gallery in the refurbished historic concrete tanks in the cellar;
  • Self-catering accommodation in the GP Canitz’s original art studio;
  • Functions hosted in the cellar;
  • Private tastings in the Kneipzimmer, GP Canitz’s drinking den;
  • Mountain biking and trail running:
  • Exciting summer and winter events.

Tel:  021 865 2330 · Email: info@muratie.co.za · Website: www.muratie.co.za

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Muratie Tasting Room
Muratie Tasting Room



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