Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2022
A polished, fruit-forward Merlot from Stellenbosch, with lush dark fruit, supple tannins, and a savoury, spiced finish.
Rich & Savoury
£24.55
| Producer | Ernie Els |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Stellenbosch |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Body / Style | Rich & Savoury |
| Grape Blend | Merlot |
| Bottle Size (ml) | 750 |
| % Abv | 14 |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Special Features | Vegan |
| Extra Info | Fruit-forward Merlot |
| Food Pairing Guide | Ideal with roast duck, mushroom risotto, grilled pork, or a herbed lentil bake |
Crafted in tribute to Ernie Els’ achievements on and off the golf course, the Major Series Merlot is a refined and expressive wine that captures the essence of Stellenbosch terroir. Deep ruby with a violet core, it opens with aromas of black and red cherries, plum compôte, wild raspberry leaf, and a whisper of graphite. The palate is silky and layered—molten cherries glide over pillowy tannins, followed by juicy blackberries, plums, and a bright redcurrant tang. A savoury, lifted finish hints at crushed coriander and forest floor, adding complexity and depth. This is Merlot at its most generous yet graceful.
The hand-picked bunches arrive at the winery in the morning. The bunches are sorted and destemmed, after which the berries are sorted again to ensure that only the ripe berries go to the tank. Whole berries are fermented in open top tanks as well as in barrels. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs ensure a balance between flavour, colour and tannin extraction from the skins. All ferments are meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure that all the natural aromas and flavours are preserved and highlighted as required. After primary fermentation some batches will be left on the skins for extended maceration as required. The batches are pressed and transferred to a combination of old and new oak for maturation. Each batch of Merlot is maturated separately (micro-vinified) in oak barrels before blending and eventual bottling.
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