Select Page
Downes Family – Mt Bullet Merlot

Price Matrix
Stock Quantities
South Africa
Western Cape
Wine
Red

The Facts

Origins South Africa > Western Cape > Elgin
Appellation Elgin
Varietal Merlot
Cepage 100% Merlot
Winemaking Each clonal parcel fermented separately. Natural fermentation following 3-6 day cold maceration. Twice daily punchdowns.
Aging 20 months in French oak barriques
Alcohol by Volume 14.5%
Markets Texas

Trade and Media

The Character

Tasting Notes The wine has a fragrance of ripe red fruits such as plums and dark cherries, with earthy complexity and yet still expressing minerality. Maintaining a good acidity lends to outstanding freshness with a well integrated ripe and seductive tannin structure.
Sustainability Vegan, Sustainable In Practice, Minimal Intervention / Augmentation, Natural Fermentation

The Story

Mt Bullet has been iconic, almost since its debut, a few years ago. 5 different clones (2 French and 3 Italian) planted in brutally challenging terrain, yielding incredible fruit. And that’s only a small part of the story. Close your eyes, and stylistically, this is like drinking top flight, right bank Bordeaux, which would easily sell for $400/btl.

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!

More Wines from Downes Family

(See All)
Contact Us

    • Number of BOTTLES of Downes Family – Mt Bullet Merlot