Our Wine of the Week is the newly released and just launched 2018 Grande Provence Merlot. The grapes come from the golden triangle in Stellenbosch and would usually have gone into the Grand Provence red, but they were just so good, that winemaker Thys Smit felt that they needed to be showcased alone
Tank fermented and then matured in barrel for 12 months. A splash of Malbec has been added and is just visible as umami. Good incense smoky wood, then lovely full rich, ripe cherries shine through on the nose. Silky soft on the palate with minerality, a cherry feast of all the different cherry varietals and their flavours. It is rich with long fruit flavours, a hint of umami licorice and dark chocolate on the end. It will age beautifully. We predict that this will win awards; one of the best South African Merlots we have tasted this year.
R170 on the farm. 18.5/20 but might well add another half or whole point with a few years cellaring
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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