Name: Downes Family - Merlot
SKU: 47397
Availability: InStock

Downes Family – Merlot

Price Matrix

Stock Quantities

South Africa

Western Cape

Wine

Red

The Facts

UPCs 2019 (750ml) - 8 04551 14584 1

Origins South Africa > Western Cape > Elgin

Appellation Elgin

Varietal Merlot

Cepage 100% Merlot

Winemaking Grapes are hand-sorted before cold 3-6 day cold maceration. The 5-way clonal ferment is inoculated with a commercial yeast.

Aging 9 months in 4-5yr old French barriques.

Alcohol by Volume 14.0%

Markets Texas

Trade and Media

Sales Sheet

The Character

Tasting Notes The 2019 Downes Family Merlot starts juicy and dusty with delightful layers of dusty plum, sour cherry and soft elements of juicy tobacco, hints of oak and a gentle display of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the wine delivers a balanced structure with lifting tannins and succulent acidity, before flavors of black plum and dark cherry skin sway across the mid-palate. The wine concludes with a persistent tannic edge and lingering flavors of blackberry and spiced plum compote.

Awards 90pts Wine Advocate

Sustainability Vegan, Sustainable In Practice

The Story

If you lived in South Africa and were on the allocation list for Mount Bullet Merlot, then you would have yourself some pretty cool bragging rights. Referred to by members of the international sommelier community as South Africa’s “Baby Le Pin” it is made from old vines and no fewer than 5 different Merlot clones (3 Italian and 2 French). It is utterly world class. Merlot continues to get a bad rap (after the movie “Sideways”), but it’s important to remind consumers that the most expensive wines from Bordeaux are in fact from the right bank and are Merlot predominant. Merlot is indeed one of the great, Noble grape varietals and deserves to be taken very seriously. Considerable emphasis is placed on maximizing the different French and Italian merlot expressions in this vineyard. Basically what you’re dealing with here is the declassified barrels from the Mt Bullet project, at less than half the price, but way more than half the wine. Aromatics and flavors are on point and the wine is impeccably well balanced. A non-interventionist wine-making approach ensures silkiness and elegant structure. This is very classy stuff!

About Downes Family

Producer Story

Downes Family Vineyards is situated in the Elgin Valley within the Kogelberg Biosphere with mountains to the west and the Palmiet River to the east. The Elgin Valley which has long been regarded as the apple and pear centre of South Africa, now has some of the country's most highly regarded winemakers establishing vineyards in the area, testament to its obvious winemaking potential. The vineyards benefit from the high altitude cool temperatures, as well as an abundant rainfall throughout the year and the prevailing cold summer wind, known as the ""Black South-Easter"" blowing in from the ocean. Viticulture practices and canopy management which enhance longer ripening periods capture in the wines, the broad spectrum of flavours created in the cool climate of our unique terroir!

Producer Story

Downes Family Vineyards is situated in the Elgin Valley within the Kogelberg Biosphere with mountains to the west and the Palmiet River to the east. The Elgin Valley which has long been regarded as the apple and pear centre of South Africa, now has some of the country's most highly regarded winemakers establishing vineyards in the area, testament to its obvious winemaking potential. The vineyards benefit from the high altitude cool temperatures, as well as an abundant rainfall throughout the year and the prevailing cold summer wind, known as the ""Black South-Easter"" blowing in from the ocean. Viticulture practices and canopy management which enhance longer ripening periods capture in the wines, the broad spectrum of flavours created in the cool climate of our unique terroir!