Meerlust Estate Merlot is a rich and complex wine that epitomizes the qualities of South African wine. This full-bodied wine boasts a deep garnet color and a bouquet of ripe blackberries and plums, with undertones of oak, spice, and a hint of chocolate. On the palate, this wine has a robust and velvety texture, with flavors of dark fruit, black tea, and subtle notes of leather. The tannins are smooth and well-structured, giving the wine a long and satisfying finish. Meerlust Estate Merlot is a wine that continues to evolve over time, making it a perfect addition to any wine cellar. Enjoy it with rich, meaty dishes or simply on its own.

Tasting Notes

Tasted late in 2018, the 2016 Meerlust Merlot was already showing great approachability and charm. The dark fruit and opulence of the wine is immediately apparent. We have been refining the viticulture to produce more balanced, flavourful fruit. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The medium-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, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine.

About the Winery

Meerlust Estate is a South African winery that has been the tradition and business of the Myburgh family, stretching since 1756 over eight generations. The person who established the estate was Johannes Albertus Myburgh. In 1959, Nicolas Myburgh received ownership of the winery. He started an extensive renovation and restoration program of its architectural structures that followed a Cape Dutch style. Even today, the family’s dedication and ambition of the art and craft of winemaking continue under the eight-generation Hannes Myburgh.

The name of the estate “Meerlust” means “pleasure of the sea.” It was the first owner of the plot, Henning Huising, who named it such in 1693. True to its name, the estate sits near False Bay on an outcrop made of granite, enjoying the pleasant blessings of the nearby sea. The vineyards of Meerlust Estate enjoy cold and refreshing evening mists and ocean breezes in the summer. They come over from the coasts looking over the property. Such winds allow the grapes to ripen slowly and acquire a desirable standard of flavour and aroma.

To date, Meerlust Estate gets recognised as one of the best wineries producing wines of world-class rich in their taste, history, charm, and aroma. The overall success can get owed to the suitable and particular soils and environment of the region. The vineyards of the Meerlust Estate primarily have clayey subsoils that originate from an old alluvial deposit. The other intermingling layers and topsoil comprise weathered granite gravel. Additionally, the region experiences sufficient rainfall with heavy deposits of dew.

The climatic conditions allow the planted grapevines to grow into healthy and high-quality plants. It permits them to bear fruits of excellent quality. Meerlust Estate also spikes their soils with deposits of black laterite. It adds a unique standard and distinction to the winery’s wines.

http://www.meerlust.co.za

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