1685 S&M
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted lamb, grilled venison, hearty beef stew
✨ Technical Specifications
The Boschendal 1685 S&M is a masterful Rhône-style blend that pays homage to the estate's founding year of 1685. Combining the robust, spicy allure of Shiraz with the rustic, earthy complexity of Mourvèdre, this wine showcases the synergy of two varieties that thrive in the Mediterranean climate of South Africa's Coastal Region. The grapes are sourced from select vineyard sites where decomposed granite and clay soils, coupled with cooling maritime breezes, encourage slow ripening and intense flavor concentration. Traditionally vinified with careful oak maturation, the wine captures a beautiful balance between dark fruit intensity, savory spice, and refined, structured tannins, reflecting both the heritage and the progressive winemaking spirit of the historic estate.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1685 by Huguenot settler Jean le Long and developed by the De Villiers family, Boschendal is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Anchored in the Groot Drakenstein Valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, the estate's vineyards span granite, sandstone, and alluvial terraces sheltered by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountain ranges. This dramatic topographical setting yields a Mediterranean macroclimate defined by cool mountain breezes, dry summers, and generous winter rainfall, delivering vibrant natural acidity. Viticulture adheres to rigorous environmental stewardship as a WWF Conservation Champion and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) practitioner. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes purity, site transparency, and textural balance across both stainless steel and French oak regimes. Boschendal is celebrated for its benchmark Cap Classique sparkling wines, including the Jean Le Long Prestige Cuvée, as well as exceptional still whites like the 1685 Chenin Blanc, Appellation Series Chardonnay, Suzanne white blend, and botrytised Vin D'Or Noble Late Harvest.
🍇 Grapes
Shiraz, Mourvèdre
🍷 ABV
14-14.5%