Description

Remhoogte Aspect Merlot 2020

This single-varietal 100% Merlot is sourced from the highest, steepest blocks of the estate on the cool, south-westerly facing slopes of Stellenbosch's Simonsberg mountain, where prevailing summer sea breezes moderated the 2020 growing season. The ancient, shallow Malmesbury shale soils naturally limit vine vigor, yielding highly concentrated fruit that is sustainably farmed with minimal intervention to preserve the land for future generations. After hand-harvesting and meticulous double-sorting, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in large French oak tanks, followed by an extended 30-day skin maceration and 24 months of maturation in 225-liter French oak barriques (30% new). In the glass, the wine displays a deep, brooding ruby color with excellent clarity, leading to a complex nose of blackcurrants, sour cherries, crushed violets, fresh fennel, and cedar cigar box. On the palate, this dry, full-bodied wine opens with a generous core of ripe dark fruit framed by broad, chalky tannins and a bright, lively acidity that drives a long, smooth finish laced with dark chocolate and white pepper. For food pairings, it shines alongside a classic American grilled ribeye steak with chimichurri, as the robust tannins cut through the rich fat while the wine's herbal notes complement the sauce. It also pairs beautifully with rosemary-crusted lamb chops that echo the wine's nuances of sage, or a hearty smoked beef brisket where the oak maturation matches the meat's savory char. Averaging an 88/100 from global critics, this beautifully structured wine drinks well above its $25 price point, offering outstanding value for a premium South African red.