The view! The reds! A must-visit destination in Ban[g]hoek
THE FIRST outright winner of South Africa’s Top 10 Merlot Competition, Rainbow’s End in Banghoek on the Pniel side of Stellenbosch en route to Franschhoek, is in a beautiful corner of the Cape winelands, with the tasting room and lookout deck positioned on a hill to take full advantage of the view. For some time now, the estate up a dirt road deep into the valley has been regarded as one of the country’s leading Cabernet Franc producers, however there are several reasons that make this destination all the more worthwhile.
The farm is owned and run by the Malan family, with Anton the cellarmaster and Francois heading up the team tending to the vineyards and protea bushes – the flowers mainly for export but some occasionally on offer at the wine-tasting room. It was patriarch Jacques Malan who spearheaded the drive to have Banghoek registered as a separate ward in the Stellenbosch wine district. And if you’re keen on lunching in the area where the various cellars are well represented, the tables at the Banhoek Chilli Oil Company are a good call…
The English translation of the word ‘bang’ is ‘scared’. Understandable when the valley was once roamed by big cats and other dangerous animals. Now that the place is a lot safer, some of the property owners are trying to get the name changed to Banhoek (without the ‘g’) but the jury is still out on this one – and besides, the more ‘scary’ version is an intriguing reminder of how things once were.
RAINBOW’S END MERLOT 2020
WO Banghoek-Stellenbosch. Trellised vines, mostly planted in 2001. Grapes hand-harvested at dawn. Light basket pressing. Open fermenters. Two rackings during 12 months in small (225L) French oak barrels – 33.3% new, medium toast, tight grain. Unfiltered, unfined.
Alc 14.5 | RS 3.3 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.4
Producer’s Tasting Notes: Dark crimson colour. Aromas of ripe blueberries. Velvety mouthfeel with hints of berry compote, mulberries and ripe plums. Lingering finish. Expected to peak five to eight years after vintage.
Food Pairing Suggestions: mushroom risotto or “any dish with rich earthy flavours”; paired with duck at The Test Kitchen restaurant in Cape Town.
R220pb ex-cellar.
