Award Winning
Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2022
R250,00
Radiant plum. A spark of flint scented with fresh ash and the talc of lipstick, a boudoir perfume; before rich red and black cherries, plums and a lift of mint. Succulent, and a touch creamy, dark fruit unfolds laced with vanilla undertones. A tinge of blood orange freshness highlights the whispery tannins, ever so smooth from gentle oak maturation. Black cherries and ripe plums echo into the long, fruited finish.
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Specifications
In the cellar
Hand-picked bunches arrived at the winery in the early hours of the morning. The bunches were sorted and destemmed, after which the berries underwent secondary sorting via an optical sorter to ensure that only the ripe berries remained. These whole berries were fermented in open top tanks. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs ensured a balance was achieved when extracting flavour, colour and tannins from the skins. All ferments were meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure that the natural aromas and flavours were preserved. After primary fermentation some batches were left on the skins for an extended maceration period. The batches were pressed and transferred to various old and new oak for maturation. Each batch of Merlot was micro-vinified in barrels before blending and bottling took place.
In the vineyard
The Merlot vineyards grow on the warm, north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level, together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the ripening period can be extended, resulting in wines with phenolic ripeness.
Ageing
Aged for 16 months in French Oak barrels (20% new)
Cultivar
Merlot
Awards and Recognition
Platters Wine Guide 2025 – 4 Stars
