Deep ruby velvet in colour with an opulent nose combining red plums, cassis, walnuts and bramble boosted by a distinctive waft of violets. The fruit follows through onto the palate offering a red plum profile with an understated savoury and herbal element on the back palate. A finely tuned acid and wood tannin balance, together with a purity of fruit, distinguish this seamless wine as a great ambassador for Merlot.
Technical Tasting Sheets:
Merlot pairs well with lighter style dishes like panko-crumbed pork with mustard cream sauce or spaghetti pomodoro.
The season presented a cold winter and a cold spring with good rainfall and a very moderate growing period during summer. This resulted in a later-than-usual harvestand grapes were harvested 14 days later compared to 2020.
Handpicked fruit was destalked, crushed and fermented in conical-shaped stainless-steel tanks. The ‘aerated pump-over’ method was used to gently pump the fermenting juice across the skin cap four times a day for one-hour periods at a time, ensuring soft tannin extraction. After fermentation the wine was pressed, racked and matured in 15% new oak, 40% second fill, 25% third fill, and 20% fourth fill French oak barrels.
2021
- James Suckling 2023 92 Points
2020
- Veritas Awards 2022 Gold
- James Suckling 2022 92 Points
2019
- James Suckling 2021 92 Points
- Michelangelo Wine Awards 2021 Gold
- Winemag Merlot Report 2021 Top 10 (92 Points)
2018
- Platter's Guide 2021 4 Stars
- Winemag Merlot Report 2020 90 Points
2017
- Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2020 Gold
- Winemag Merlot Report 2020 Top 10
2016
- South African Wine Index 2018 Platinum
- The Sommeliers Selection 2018 - Elegant/Classy Reds
- Vitis Vinifera Awards 2017 Gold
- Vitis Vinifera Awards 2018 Gold
2014
- SA Terroir Wine Awards 2016 Area Winner
2013
- The Sommeliers Selection 2015 - Elegant/Classy Red
2012
- Vitis Vinifera Awards 2014 Gold
- South African Airways Listings 2015 Premium Class
- Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2015 Double Gold
2011
- Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2014 Gold
- Veritas 2014 Gold
2010
- Michelangelo Int Wine Awards 2013 Gold
- Six Nations Wine Challenge 2013 Gold
- Veritas 2013 Double Gold
2009
- Veritas 2012 Gold
2007
- Veritas Gold
2006
- Platter’s 4 Stars
- SA Terroir Wine Awards National Certificate for Top Merlot
- Veritas Gold