Boschendal 1685 Merlot 2010
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Franschhoek
Franschhoek lies in South Africa's Western Cape in a narrow, fertile valley surrounded by mountains about 75 kilometres east of Cape Town and is one of the country's most historic wine regions. The area was founded by French Huguenots in 1688, and French words and place names still mark the area, whose name means The French Corner.
The climate is Mediterranean with warm dry summers moderated by cooler altitude breezes from the surrounding mountains, and the soils range from granite on the slopes to alluvial clay on the valley floor. The area is known for Semillon with over 200-year-old bush vines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines. The style is typically elegant and structured; the reds show ripe dark berries, spices, cedar and fine tannins, while the whites have citrus, peach, flowers and a fresh acidity. The area is known as home to some of South Africa's most historic estates and as the country's culinary capital, with a focus on fine dining and wine tourism.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
You are in safe hands
100% authentic bottles
All bottles undergo a thorough authenticity test by our certified sommeliers before being offered for sale. We reject bottles we are unsure about.
Thorough quality check
Cork, capsule, fill level, label condition, and provenance are individually documented for each bottle. A physical certificate is included with every purchase.
60-day return policy
We are confident in the quality of our wines, and you as a buyer should be too. Return any unopened bottle within 60 days for a full refund — no questions asked.
4.7 on Trustpilot
277 customers have shared their experience. From the first email to the bottle arriving safely – we take pride in making a difference from start to finish.
How it handles
you your wine
Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
GUIDE TO THE GOOD WINE EXPERIENCE
We will help you throughout the journey. Here you can read our guide on how to treat the wine. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to write or call us.
Our customers say it best!
Based on 247 reviews