Durbanville Hills Merlot 2020, perfect with roast lamb

Durbanville Hills Merlot 2020

The nine farmers who are suppliers of fine grapes to The Durbanville Hills Merlot 2020 create the unique character of this wine supplying grapes from low yield vineyards of different ages, all planted on trellises in deep red soils which face different aspects. The main influence is the cool breezes off the Benguela Current which flows up our West Coast from the deep cold South Atlantic.

Merlot Grapes ripening on the vine

Once harvested the grapes are destalked and then given a 24-hour cold soak before being taken for both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine was then taken to French Oak Barrels for 12 months, a small percentage new and the rest previous fill. The wine was then prepared for bottling.

Martin Moore, Founding Cellarmaster with Wilhelm Coetzee Red Wine Specialist

Pour

From a Bordeaux shaped bottle and closed with Natural Cork. The label is the classical Durbanville Hills Lozenge shape. In the glass, the wine is a deep blood plum red at the heart, which pales out to ruby at the edges. The aromas of this medium bodied wine are of sweet ripe red and black berries, oak spice, and undertow of mint, regularly found in Merlot, and a grating of dark chocolate. The palate has a lovely line of acidity running through it from entry and into the long aftertaste. The mid palate flavours are of red and black berries and plums. The tannins are well integrated into the wine making for a pleasant easy drinking glass. Merlot is reputed to be the wine most ordered by the glass in wine bars and restaurants.

Slow roasted breast of lamb with ground coriander

Pair

The Durbanville Hills Merlot 2020 is an excellent sipping wine. Made for good food. I would recommend a slow roasted breast of lamb with ground coriander. We roasted ours for 5 hours at 120C.

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