The Minotaur, released in early October 2009, is a distinctive Cape red blend of six varietals in which Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon predominate, alongside Petit Verdot, Pinotage and Shiraz.
Doolhof is the Afrikaans word for labyrinth, hence naming the estate’s top range after the ancient Cretan tale of King Minos’s Labyrinth.
The wine was produced from top quality, hand picked grapes from the estate’s premier vineyards. Different grape varietals were fermented separately with extended maceration on the skins after fermentation. Only the best barrels were selected for this wine, which was matured in 225 litre French oak barrels for 14 months, before bottling in September 2008.
The Minotaur has an intense, dark plum colour with aromas and flavours of black currants, almonds, cherries and mint. This is a well balanced, full-bodied wine with well integrated tannins. Only 3 400 bottles have been produced and the wine is expected to drink well up to 2022.