Remhoogte Estate Reserve Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Merlot 2007 90 Points

Remhoogte Estate Reserve Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Merlot 2007 90 Points


Clear, day bright, cherry red with slight mahogany / brown rim, medium plus concentration, high viscosity, no gas or sediment.

Clean, high intensity, ripe to very ripe plums, cassis, blackcurrant, some leafy note so typical of Simonsberg ward grown Bordeaux varietal, smidgeon of Cabernet evident, iron ore, lead pencil, tobacco, very Pomerol like, earthy, complex oaking (80% new French oak for 22 months), layered.

Dry, high alcohol though (15% ABV), high tannin but ripe, medium plus acidity, new flavours of cigar note, cassis and ripe blackberries, fine tannic grip rarely encountered in a South African context, concentrated style, need time, (though 45 minute decanting / aerating does a great job) best revisited around 2014, certainly for the long haul, anticipated maturity 2019+.

Only 1300 bottles made, and by far Simonsberg Ward most impressive Merlot release to date, a great food wine, will paired well with a braised beef cheek and Porcini mushroom, served with buttered tagliatelli.