Landskroon Merlot 2020
I love a wine with a story. This one has a story so ingrained in South African History since the arrival of the De Villiers brothers in Cape Town on 9th May 1689. The family have made major contributions in terms of the arts, literature, science, politics and of course wine. For 5 generations the De Villiers Family have owned and managed Landskroon Wine Estate on the Southwestern Slopes of the iconic Paarl Mountain. Table Mountain is on the Southern horizon.
Paul de Villiers V, Cellarmaster at Landskroon
Each Cellarmaster through the generations has been named Paul, with Paul V firmly ensconced in the winery, and producing wines which would make his antecedents proud.
Merlot ripening on the vine
The Landskroon Merlot 2020 is one of the wines most heralded. Wine of the Month Panel Tasting 2022 Merlot, 1st out of 20. A Gold Award at Vitis Vinifera in 2022 and on the Platter’s Guide 3 ½ stars and the comment, ‘Hidden Gem and Good Value.’ Value is something I always associate with Landskroon. Excellent quality to price ratio with all their wines.
Fermented in open and closed fermentation tanks. When dry, the wine is pressed and then taken for a year to a mix of American and French Oak barrels, some new and the balance 2nd and 3rd previous fill. The wines are then blended and prepared for bottling.
Landskroon Maturation Cellar
Pour
From a Bordeaux shaped dark green glass bottle. The label is of a relatively new design and simple and elegant. In the glass a gem bright bloodplum at the heart which pales out to a ruby rim. The aromas are expected – black and red berry fruits and bloodplums. The oak in support adds its vanilla and spice. The mouthfeel is full and from entry there is a perfect line of acidity in a rich and generous palate. Eminently drinkable now, though would only improve with a couple of years of cool cellaring.
Dianne Bibby’s Roast Butternut and Lentil Bobotie
Pair
The Landskroon Merlot 2020 is a fine wine for food. I would recommend chilling it for about 30 minutes in an ice bucket. The perfect partner would be Dianne Bibby’s Roast Butternut and Lentil Bobotie. The perfect vegetarian dinner. Click HERE for her recipe.
Dianne Bibby
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