Accessible Merlot from South Africa’s Costal Region
The Mischa Estate Merlot is a real gem that is only produced in a small edition of about 7,000 bottles. Originally, the Merlot grape variety comes from Bordeaux in France. There it is one of 5 varieties used in a classic Bordeaux cuvée, also called a Bordeaux blend. Pure varietal wines are rather rare there in Bordeaux. In the case of Mischa, a small amount of Cabernet Franc was added to the Merlot and the wine was aged for 12 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barriques. The result is a fruity, powerful and velvety red wine that is already very accessible and can develop for another 5 to 10 years in the bottle.
The Barns family’s farm became known as a vine nursery. Over decades, Mischa Estate has developed into the third largest vine nursery in the southern hemisphere. However, this was no longer enough for the current owners, brothers Andrew and Gary Barns. So, a few years ago, they began to pursue their other passion besides growing vines and to make wine themselves. Today Mischa Estate is one of the most renowned boutique wineries in South Africa, honoured with many awards from leading wine critics.
And this is how the Mischa Estate Merlot tastes
The Mischa Estate Merlot beguiles on the nose with the scent of sweet and sour cherries, blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by notes of tobacco, liquorice and herbs. In addition, there are hints of rose petals. On the palate, the red wine from Wellington is round and fruit-driven, with soft tannins and peppery spice. A well-structured and, despite its power, very delicate Merlot with a long finish.
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