Ernie Els, Major Series Merlot, 2018

The medium bodied Ernie Els Major Series Merlot shows the sparkle of the vintage with a fresh acidity and delicate red fruits. Laced with ripe plums, strawberry, shavings of milk chocolate and dark cherry, it is dazzlingly complex and yet shows its pedigree of exceptional drinkability and class. Soft, chewy tannins balance the silky, oak-aged structure, whilst the palate eventually ends with whiffs of fine tobacco and earthy spice. Tantalising and delicious in its youth, this Merlot will age well for 5 years or more.

The Ernie Els Merlot vineyards grow on the warm north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region, within the Stellenbosch appellation. The soils contain a high gravel content which offers rich, mid-palate weight giving this wine exceptional depth and fruit purity. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level, together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean just 15 kilometres away, this extends the ripening period by up to 3 weeks and results in lovely phenolic ripeness. A proportion of grapes from the Devon Valley region were also used. Aged for 14 months in 300 litre French Oak barrels, 20% of which were new.

• ❖ ABV: 15%