Glen Carlou Merlot 2023
| Producer | Glen Carlou |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Stellenbosch |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Body / Style | Medium-Bodied Red |
| Grape Blend | 100% Merlot |
| Bottle Size (ml) | 750 |
| % Abv | 14.5 |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Special Features | Sustainable, Vegan |
| Extra Info | Supple, velvety Merlot |
| Food Pairing Guide | Pairs beautifully with roast duck, grilled pork loin and beef bolognese, while its soft tannins and ripe plum character also complement mushroom risotto, herb-roasted chicken and semi-mature cheeses such as Edam or Gouda. |
Glen Carlou Merlot showcases the variety’s approachable elegance and plush texture. Aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and red berries are layered with gentle hints of vanilla, cocoa and spice from French oak maturation. The palate is supple and rounded, with soft, polished tannins supporting generous fruit concentration. Balanced acidity ensures freshness and structure, while oak integration adds depth without overpowering the fruit. The result is a harmonious, versatile Merlot that drinks well on release yet has the structure to evolve gracefully over the medium term.
“A complex but elegant medium bodied wine, showing fresh red berries and cinnamon on the nose. Raspberries, sweet cherries and subtle hints of mint and vanilla unfold throughout the layered mouthfeel. The aftertaste reveals juicy blackberry on the palate, balanced by notes of plums, cassis and a subtle earthiness, with rounded acidity on a silky mid-palate”. (Johnnie Calitz - Winemaker)
This wine is made from 100% Merlot. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels, with a portion of new oak to add structure and complexity, resulting in a medium- to full-bodied wine with ripe red and dark fruit, smooth tannins and balanced acidity.
Canopy management is an important tool to manage phenolic ripeness in Merlot, with excess leaves picked out during berry-set to increase sunlight exposure, contributing to the ripeness and richness of flavour. Fruit was selected from six vineyards situated on well-drained Oak Leaf and Glenrosa soils located within the defined appellation of Simonsberg-Paarl.
The grapes were hand sorted, destemmed and transferred into 7 ton steel tanks, kept whole-berry as far as possible. Pump overs were done during fermentation, after which extended skin contact followed for between 7-10 days. Before being blended, bottled and labelled the wine was matured in seasoned 225 litre French oak barriques for 14 months in which the malolactic fermentation was also completed.
Glen Carlou is committed to sustainable viticulture and is accredited by South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme, which promotes environmentally responsible farming practices.
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RED WINE Mixed Case - 12 bottles£158.61 Regular Price £186.58 -
Glen Carlou Wine Selection Case - 6 bottles£96.20 Regular Price £113.15
