Meerlust Stellenbosch Merlot 2016  £24.74

MEERLUST STELLENBOSCH MERLOT

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality.

The full-bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced length and minerality.

There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine.

Critics

Platters Guide - 92 Points

Both sombre & lively notes of spicy tobacco along with dark fruit on 2016 - with dollops of cab franc & petit verdot adding as usual to complexity. Serious, richly flavoured, with sweet, bright fruit. Many years to go.

Wine tasted by Tim James.