Vergelegen Reserve Merlot 2018

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Vergelegen
Label Name:
 
Reserve Merlot
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
South Africa
Region:
 
Stellenbosch
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
100% Merlot
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Tim Atkin 92 points; Platter’s Guide 4. 5* (approx. 92); widely well-reviewed by UK/intl merchants

Tasting Note
Ripe black cherry and plum with spice, cocoa and subtle tobacco/cedar oak. Plush, round mid-palate, fresh acidity and soft, fine-grained tannins with a long, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Western: rack of lamb, grilled fillet steak, mature cheddar. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi/galbi), Thai beef salad, Chinese braised beef.

Production Method
Hand-harvested fruit; fermentations at ~25–28°C with post‑fermentation maceration, malolactic in tank, matured ~16–20 months in French oak (≈50% new).

Vineyard Info
Vergelegen is a historic Stellenbosch estate (founded 1700), owned by Anglo American; winemaking led by long‑time team with consulting input from Michel Rolland on Merlot. Fruit sourced from estate vineyards (Stonepine, Rooiland, Korhaan, Kopland).