Meerlust Merlot 2020

Technical Analysis

Winemaker - Altus Treurnicht
Main Variety - Merlot
Alcohol - 14.9 %vol
pH - 3.58
RS - 2.55 g/l
Total Acid - 5.65 g/l
Appellation - Stellenbosch

Characteristics

Type - Red
Style - Dry
Body - Full
Taste - Fruity


Accolades

2024 Platter Guide - 93 points
2023 Tim Atkin South African report - 93 points

Tasting Notes

Deep red with purple edges. Typical Merlot characteristics on the nose with ripe plum and dark cherry notes underpinned by some dried herbs and oak spice. The palate is generous, while still delicate on the finish, showing complex cherry tobacco flavours coupled with a fine acidity. This wine shows the elegance and fruit purity of the 2020 vintage and as with all Merlot’s from the estate, will age gracefully and will gain in complexity and suppleness of tannin for many years to come.

Ageing Potential

10 - 15 years, provided the wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions.

Blend Information

87% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

In The Vineyard

Good rainfall during the winter and long uninterrupted cold spells meant reserves where adequately replenished and cold requirement easily met. A very dry and hot spring followed by a moderate growing season resulted in even budding and slower than normal, even ripening – especially beneficial for our late ripening varieties.

In The Cellar

This wine consists of 87% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It is made up of a few individual parcels that are all fermented separately before undergoing malolactic fermentation in 300 L barrels. After 8 months in barrel, the final components were selected and blended and given another 10 months in barrel for harmonization before bottling.

Additional Information

Our Merlot is a true expression of the variety as grown on the Meerlust estate and draws fruit from two of our four distinctive terroirs. Each terroir provides a unique element to the final blend.
Compagniesdrift - The soils from this warm north facing slope are predominantly formed from weathered granite. The wines originating from this granitic hilltop are expressive and bold in structure, mainly due to the coarse gravelly texture and sufficient soil depth to promote long and even ripening.
The Quarry - The extremely rocky terrain consisting of greywacke with interbedded shales provides a unique substrate for vines. Shallow rooted vines on this cool and windswept foot slope leads to wines with characteristic red fruit with exceptional length, detail, and precision.


Other Vintages

Wine Wine Maker Main Variety
Meerlust Merlot 2021 Altus Treurnicht Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2020 Altus Treurnicht Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2018 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2017 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2016 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2015 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2014 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot Collector`s Tin 750ml Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2013 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2012 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2010 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2008 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2007 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2006 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2005 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2004 Chris Williams Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2001 Giorgio Dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 2000 Giorgio dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 1999 Giorgio dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 1998 Giorgio Dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 1997 Giorgio Dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 1996 Giorgio Dalla Cia Merlot
Meerlust Merlot 1989 Giorgio Dalla Cia Merlot

  +27.218433587       +27.218433274       shop@meerlust.co.za
Meerlust Estate Baden Powell Drive P.O. Box 7121 , Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa