Hartenberg Merlot

The nose shows rhubarb and dark chocolate whiffs. The palate is flush with flavours of plums and dark chocolate, with silky soft tannins that finish in a refined elegance. Barrel Ageing: 18 months in French oak, 40% new, the balance in older French oak barrels

Maturation: 10 – 20 years from vintage

Alcohol: 14.5% by volume

Residual Sugar: 1,9 g/l

Total Acid: 5.5 g/l

pH: 3.48 Merlot pairs well with a range of foods. Panko crumbed pork with mustard cream sauce, roasted tomato pasta or a juicy hamburger with cheddar cheese topping. Hartenberg winemaker, Carl Shultz, won the Diners Club “Winemaker of the Year” award for the very fine 2004 Estate Merlot at the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, our 2005 Estate Merlot placed 8th in the world. 2017: 4½ stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2016: 93 points Tim Atkin, 3 ½ stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2015: 4½ stars Platters SA Wine Guide

2015: 93 points Tim Atkin, Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards (the only South African Gold medal for Merlot), Gold Medal Veritas Awards 2017

2014: 92 points Tim Atkin, 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2013: 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2012: 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2011: 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2010: Gold Medal Concours Mondial 2014, Gold Medal Veritas, 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide

2009: 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 91 points Robert Parker. Each vineyard was specially selected, and each bunch of grapes was hand-picked early in the morning. The grapes were cold soaked for two days, then the juice inoculated with a French-sourced yeast. The must was fermented and pumped over four times daily, followed by an extended maceration for fourteen days, and a fractional pressing. After settling, the wine was moved to French oak for malolactic fermentation. If you’re a little confused about what all this means, it means the guys who make this are all a little bit cuckoo for making wine, and they won’t let anyone or anything get in the way of making the best one they can. In the world. In fact, the universe. And that’s all you need to know. Except where to find the corkscrew.