Achieving decent Merlot under local conditions is tricky, but if anyone’s got a handle on it, then it’s Carl Schultz of Hartenberg in Stellenbosch. He won the 2005 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award with his 2004 and the 2009 (R125 a bottle) … [Read more...]
Louis Michel Thibault 2009
March 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Robertson property De Wetshof, famed for its various versions of Chardonnay, has gone all in with a top-end red, Louis Michel Thibault 2009 (after the French architect who designed some of the Cape’s more noteworthy 18th and 19th century … [Read more...]
La Bri Merlot 2010
December 11, 2012 by 4 Comments
Last night I revisited the Merlot 2010 from La Bri in Franschhoek for the first time since it won the trophy for best in class at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. I was on the panel along with Angela Lloyd and Anthony Rose which judged Merlot and … [Read more...]
Shannon Vineyards Mount Bullet 2010
October 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Yesterday a visit to Shannon Vineyards in Elgin for a better understanding of why this operation produces one of the better Merlots around. First a really insightful tour of the vineyards with co-owner and viticulturist James Downes. Merlot makes … [Read more...]
Durbanville Hills Merlot 2009 vs. Nederburg The Winemaster’s Reserve Merlot 2010
May 23, 2012 by 2 Comments
On the basis that it’s important to know what’s the corporates are doing in order to properly guage the quality of the independents, the Durbanville Hills Merlot 2009 (R75) up against the Nederburg The Winemaster’s Reserve Merlot 2010 … [Read more...]
Thelema Merlot 2006
April 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
If any variety has gained a favourable reputation because of texture rather than flavour, it is Merlot. In the mind of the average punter, it produces wines that are “smooth” and almost nothing seems to convince him or her otherwise. It is … [Read more...]
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