Meerlust is among Stellenbosch's finest. Thanks in part to its rich history and numerous international awards, its wines are incredibly popular. Henning Huizing purchased the winery in 1693 and renamed it Meerlust. The name refers to its location, just a few kilometers from False Bay. In 1756, the house was purchased by the Myburg family, who began producing wine there. It was this family who discovered that the volcanic granite in the area was exceptionally suitable for viticulture. This quickly led to distinctive results. This family remains at the helm today.
The grapes are carefully harvested by hand. They are then immediately transported to the winery, where they are selected and carefully separated. The grapes ferment in stainless steel tanks, with regular pumping of the juice over the skins. This enhances the wine's color and flavors. Some of the wine underwent a three-week long maceration on the skins before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in French oak barrels. The juice is then aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, approximately half of which are new.
The Meerlust Merlot shimmers purple in the glass, transitioning beautifully to garnet. The aroma reveals blackcurrants, blueberries, mulberries, cherries, blackberries, licorice, and plums. As if that weren't enough, it's complemented by notes of dark chocolate and spices. The palate is full-bodied and rich with hints of dark fruit. It's robust and smooth, supported by good acidity and powerful yet soft tannins. Delicious with a good steak.
