Merlot Association chairman of the Judging panel Matthew Copeland:
"With the Merlot Top 10 we are beginning to achieve one of our primary objectives
and that is to identify, to honour and to promote the very best Merlots that South Africa has to offer
Single varietal entries totalled 479 this year. It's partly down to tough times;
We have spoken to a few cellars who say they are really pulling back on their marketing budget
which, as you know, is something you only hear when it’s a last resort
We have a fantastic line up, lots of good entries, a lot of depth, people who are passionate about Merlot in South Africa,
are well represented, not only in the entries, but in the top 10, I believe
At the real heart of the competition, if you want to make it a sustainable competition,
you have to have very, very rigorous judging procedures,
and you have to have a panel of very good judges to give you that credibility
that make people want to enter your show and continue to enter the show and believe that the award team has merit
So how does the judging work? There is a 100 point scoring system, a panel of five judges and myself
I score the wines, I collaborate with the judges in ironing out the kinks and getting some sort of consensus
certainly about the wines that have more merit and therefore get more scores
The Delaire is forward on the nose with incense wood and lovely fruit. Silky on the palate then a wonderful change as the cherry fruit opens up and takes charge. Very sophisticated, very special, great wood support on the end
The Hidden Valley 2302 has a superb nose with integrated fruit and much elegance. You cannot separate the nose from the palate; very St Emilion in style, young but lovely fruit and lots of class. Good tannins.. it needs time but that will reward
The Vondeling has a lovely spicy nose, good fruit, sweet fruit, a lovely mouthfeel with elegance and completeness
Buy Now!
Bein
Merlot 2023
Winemaker: Luca
Bein, Viticulturist: Joe Toweel (present
at ceremony)
W.O. Stellenbosch
Our flagship wine, a wine in classic Pomerol style, elegant and complex.
It is fruit forward with characters of black cherry, raspberry and plum
Floral note of
violet is picked up as a secondary aroma, with a light character of cedar and chocolate.
Fruity character follows through on the palate, with slightly grippy tannins
Alc: 14.3% vol, RS: 2.8 g/e, TA: 5.4 g/e, pH 3.53
Deep dark granite colouring. Vanilla and liquorice on the nose with ripe cherry
and blackberry fruits
that are complemented by a fresh limey element on the palate.
Acidity brings tension to the palate. interwoven with the ripe tannin
structure
The wine carries enough oak to compliment the fruit and freshness of the wine.
Alc: 14.0% vol, RS: 3.6 g/e, TA: 5.6 g/e, pH 3.63
Dornier
Merlot 2021
WOO. Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Philip van Staden
Bright ruby-red coloured with aromas of cherry, dark berries and hints
of fynbos.
Freshness and balance on the palate with flavours of ripe black cherries, plums
and blackcurrant,
Alc: 14.5% vol, RS: 2.8gm/ltr, TA: 6.1 g/ e pH 3.47
all displaying a lengthy fullness on the palate.
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot 2022 Winemaker: Imelia Prins WOO. Stellenbosch
Deep ruby coloured with a bright hue
On the nose, it shows notes of vanilla and violets with multiple layers of dark fruit such as plums and blackcurrantwith hints of oak spice that linger on the finish
The palate is plush, rich and velvety with well-balanced fruit, and supple ripe tannins that lead to great ageing potential.
Alc: 14.89% vol, RS: 2.4gm/ltr, TA: 6.32g/e pH 3.5
Groote Post Merlot 2022
W.O, Darling
Winemaker: Lukas WentzelRipe cherry, plum and chocolate notes are followed by hints of aniseed and cassis on the nose.
The palate is supported by ripe red berries and good tannins.
Alc: 14.42% vol, RS: 1,8g/e TA: 5.5g/e pH 3.53
Hidden Valley Merlot 2023
WOO. Stellenbosch
Winemaker: Annalie van DykMedium ruby in colour, with enticing aromas of red cherry, red plum and dried herbs on the nose
followed by delicate notes of vanilla and violet
The palate is compact and cohesive rather than big, bold and full-bodied and has smooth, medium soft tannins
Succulent red fruit balanced by subtle oak nuances delivers a fruity, well-rounded wine with complexity and textural finesse.
Alc: 14.52% vol, RS. 1.6 gm/ltr, TA: 5.7gm/ltr, pH 3.36
Rainbow's End Merlot 2022
Winemaker: Anton Malan
WOO. Banghoek Stellenbosch
This is a well-structured wine with rounded tannins balancing out opulent fruit and a long lingering finish.
Alc: 14.48% vol, RS: 3.3 gm/ltr, TA: 5.4gm/ltr, pH 3.6
Vondeling Barrel Selection Merlot 2022
Winemaker: Matthew Copeland
W.O. Voor-Paardeberg
The wine has a bright, ruby red colour and an engaging floral nose. Aromas of ripe raspberry and crunchy cherries,
a hint of salinity and wafts of fresh lavender
The pallet is fresh and sublime. Bright redberry fruit, rounded liquorice, a touch of cracked coriander seed and fine tannin
The finish is elegant, long and lingering
Our Merlot pairs well with tomato-based pastas, Tandoori chicken and barbequed lamb chops.
Alc: 14.26% vol, RS: 2.6gm/ltr, TA: 5.8 g/ e pH 3.60
Wellington Wines Duke Merlot 2023
Winemaker: Daniel Stabber
W.O. Wellington
Dense, opaque ruby colour. On the nose aromas of dark hedgerow fruit, ripe plum and chocolate mingle with layers of oak spice
The palate entry is deliciously smooth, unveiling a mouth-filling medley of dark berry fruit
Notes of black olive paste add a savoury complexity
Well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity provide structure and vibrancy, leading to a satisfying, lingering finish, highlighted dark berry flavours.
Alc: 14.0% vol, RS: 3.8gm/ltr,
TA: 6.0gm/ltr, pH 3.43
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