Devon Crest finds identity with latest release

In line with Meinert's contemporary and hand-made feel, the transformed Devon Crest flaunts a striking yet traditional, heraldic symbol which signifies this red wine's stature and sense of place in the vineyards from which the wine derives its name.

The art of blending

The newly released Devon Crest 2005 stems from five different vineyards on Devon Crest farm, and is made with Merlot (37%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), carefully blended with elegant richness and a long, dry spicy finish. No yeast was added, with Meinert having enough faith in the native ones to add to the individual quality of the wine.

The Devon Crest 2005, which spent 18 months in a combination of new, second and third-fill French oak barrels, has a vibrant deep red hue with ripe berry and red cherry flavours. It's said to have excellent ageing potential and is expected to develop well until around 2015.

Roots of the family crest

Having been put on hold for a few years, Meinert's Bordeaux-style red made a classic comeback in 2001 when he resolved to making Merlot and two individual blends, each with their own unique style and personality.

By the time the 2004 Devon Crest vintage was due for release the wine still carried the generic Meinert range look and it was then that he decided to personify the wine by introducing a distinct, bright orange traditional, heraldic symbol that signifies its origin.

“Besides setting the wine apart from the rest, this new heraldic symbol also means that our family can now lay claim to having its own crest,” mocks this red wine specialist.

Each of the wines under the Meinert label has its own individuality and therefore every aspect of the production process is personal and distinctive, including the packaging. Other wines in his range include Martin's ‘proprietor's' red blend, Synchronicity, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot and the Meinert maiden white wine, ‘La Barry' Sauvignon Blanc, named after his wife.

The Devon Crest 2005 is available at leading wine outlets and restaurants at a recommended retail price of R130 per bottle.