Accolades
Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 - Bronze Medal
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012 - Bronze
Tasting Notes
39Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice. The full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety.
Ageing Potential
Up to 12 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions.
Blend Information
93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc
Food Suggestions
Red meats, game and strong cheeses. Ideally served at 18° - 19° C
In The Vineyard
Selected from 30 and 16 year old Estate-grown Merlot
plantings situated on clay-rich Oak leaf, Vilafontes and Klapmuts soil. 40%
vendage vert (green harvesting cluster removal) at 60% veraison to ensure
concentration and even-ripening.
About The Harvest
Grapes hand-picked and selected before crushing.
In The Cellar
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with
partial un-inoculated fermentation. Daily remontage and delistage for gentle
extraction. A portion of the wine was given extended maceration on the skins
for two weeks before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in 300 litre
French oak Hogsheads. Maturation in 65% new Nevers French oak, 35% second fill
Nevers for 19 months before bottling. The Meerlust Merlot 2010 is a blend of 93%
Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc for structure, acidity perfume.
