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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2013 and 2019 (based on 80 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 86.7 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 17 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Wine Of The Moment on 4/26/2022 & rated 87 points: Well, the back of the label said it could cellar for 15 years and sure enough, this South African Merlot is still holding up quite well. Made from 25+ year old vines, this Stellenbosch Merlot has 14% Cabernet Franc which gives it a touch of complexity. Give it a good hour or so to unfold, then breathe in those blackberry and plum notes. The color is intact and still mostly ruby red with some browning. It still has good acidity, an earthy feel, and lingering vanilla to tease you for another sip. Chocolate and leather will also round out the flavor profile followed by some smooth tannins. You will be quite impressed with this one if you have a bottle or two. If the newer wines are akin to this, then you know that you will have a fantastic jewel to enjoy that can cellar for at least 15 years. Cheers! (304 views) | | | Tasted by Dar3 on 11/22/2015 & rated 90 points: Very smooth. Unique notes with some vegetation, "rain on pavement" according to one taster, and a touch of mesquite. Also had enough fruit. This improved significantly with air (1925 views) | | | Tasted by nsellen on 6/26/2012 & rated 88 points: What was wrong with me? This is a better-than-meh wine. This one shows some age at the rim and a pleasingly smooth entry. Still got the fruit but no armpits this time. Nose has some milk chocolate as well. Tastes of dark fruits and spice with a lovely fine texture. Not much development over the two days but a very pleasing wine. (3449 views) | | | Tasted by Jawbox on 4/25/2012 & rated 85 points: Strong alcohol taste. Cork looked mildly soaked. Signs that it could be aged longer. Flavourful wine. Hints of berry and caramel. Better paired with snacks or meal than on its own. Not worth the price. (3414 views) | | | Tasted by Wrighty on 4/2/2012 & rated 90 points: Lovely berry chocolate nose but light and fresh. Palate has a hint of plushness but the freshness carries it through. Good finish with a building tannic not that puckers a little but in a 'quality' way. Good wine, good value. (3520 views) | | | Tasted by nsellen on 3/8/2012 & rated 86 points: Pretty dark but clear. Nose of fruit, smoke and armpits. Rich entry, not as smooth as I expected, fruity, not too sweet, tannic and slightly harsh alcohol. No real development as it warmed. Hope for more interest on day 2 but at present a bit meh. (3235 views) | | | Tasted by Ptitsa on 11/12/2011 & rated 86 points: Slightly disappointing straight out of the bottle - aerated pourer but no more exposure than that - it's pretty strong tannins and quite an alcoholic vapour. Going to try it again tomorrow. (1985 views) | | | Tasted by Jasper May on 10/2/2011 & rated 88 points: Smokey SA nose, sweet ripe brown fruits, full bodied, gentle but present tanins. (1047 views) |
| Meerlust Producer website
Overview
Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the traditional dedication to the art of winemaking continues under the guidance of Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century national monument.
Meerlust, with its historic manor house, classic wine cellar, family cemetery, dovecote and bird sanctuary is situated fifteen kilometers south of Stellenbosch, with the blue crescent of False Bay a mere five kilometers away. The Estate is uniquely positioned for the production of wines with exceptional complexity and character. In the summertime, ocean breezes and evening mists roll in from the coast to cool the vineyards. The grapes ripen slowly, thus achieving full, concentrated varietal flavours. The soil consists of predominantly deep, well drained Hutton and Clovelly soil types, affording the vines excellent drought resistance and an ideal substrata for producing concentrated, complex wines.
One hundred and ten hectares are planted with varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir.MerlotMerlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.South Africa Wines of South AfricaStellenbosch Stellenbosch Wine RoutesStellenboschThe historical town of Stellenbosch boasts a winemaking tradition which stretches back to the end of the 17th-century.
Stellenbosch is the educational and research centre of the winelands. Stellenbosch University is the only one in South Africa with a viticultural and oenological department, and many of the country's most successful winemakers studied there. The Nietvoorbij Institute of Viticulture and Oenology is also in Stellenbosch and this organisation has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world and, at its experimental farms (situated in several wine growing districts), important research into new varietals, clones and rootstocks is undertaken.
The mountainous terrain, good rainfall, deep well-drained soils and diversity of terroirs make this a sought-after viticultural area. The rapidly increasing number of wine estates includes some of the most famous names in Cape wine. The district, with its mix of historic estates and contemporary wineries, produces excellent examples of almost all the noble grape varieties.
The intensively farmed Stellenbosch district has been divided up into several smaller viticultural pockets including Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Bottelary, Devon Valley and Banghoek. |
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