Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the dedication to quality winemaking continues under the guidance of 8th generation, Hannes Myburgh. Cellar Master, Chris Williams, who has worked on the estate since 1995 has been in charge of winemaking since 2004. The name Meerlust means “pleasure of the sea”, as the property is situated 5km from False Bay (and 15km south of Stellenbosch), with the cooling influence of the coast, allowing the grapes ripen slowly.
Selected from 3 clones of Pinot Noir with an average age of 22 years old, situated on loamy gravel topsoil with clay sub-soil. A new block, namely A08 offered us its first yield for making the 2020. 30% vendage vert (green harvesting cluster removal) at 60% veraison to ensure concentration and even ripening.
Grapes were handpicked and selected in the coolness of morning before 100% of the whole bunches were manually transferred to tanks. Partial un-innoculated fermentation took place with careful pigeage twice daily before pressing directly into French oak tight grained Hogsheads for malo-lactic fermentation. 25% of the wine raised in a new 2500 L French oak foudre, with the balance being matured in 60% new tight grain Allier oak and 40% second-fill 300 liter casks.
Intense, vivid opaque youthful purple-ruby appearance. The wine shows pronounced lifted floral perfume on the nose with a brooding and seductive dark berry fruit, musk, wild mushrooms and hints of iron, savoury richness and spice and an intense vibrant minerality. On the palate there are very pure Pinot fruit flavours on entry with red cherry and musk flavours coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy, almost powdery tannin on the finish.
White and red meats, duck, Parma ham, grilled line fish, tuna, wild mushrooms and traditional cheeses.
Serve at 16-18°C.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
100% Pinot Noir
Cork
13
2.41 g/l
5.64 g/l
Yes
Yes
