Overgaauw Estate Reserve Merlot 2023

Stellenbosch Kloof, 180m above sea level, south west facing, 15km from False Bay.

18 months

100% Merlot

Rare roast beef, grilled leg of lamb with fresh herbs, roasted lamb with creamy blue cheese and nuts, duck and cherry pie, osso bucco and even mild red meat Thai dishes.

The first bottled single varietal Merlot in South Africa has an interesting story behind it. In 1973, Braam discovered that the Merlot vines he had planted were infected with leaf roll virus. Determined to find healthy, virus-free vines, he embarked on a search and eventually acquired new Italian clone Merlot vines in 1979. The first vintage from this block was in 1982 and the wine was so exceptional that it was decided to bottle it separately. This decision also led to extending the time the wine spent in small oak barrels to nine months, a significant duration at that time. In 1983, the Merlot was bottled, marking the introduction of the first single varietal South African Merlot to the market. At Overgaauw, heritage is not just a concept; it’s a reality lived out daily on this century old, legacy-rich farm, under the custodianship of four generations of Van Velden winegrowers. As the home of South Africa’s first Merlot, Overgaauw has dedicated itself to crafting this noble variety for over five decades.