Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot 2009

Fleur du Cap is a well known local wine brand that year on year produces consistently excellent wines. Fleur du Cap is owned by South Africa’s largest wine company, Distell, who in turn own The Bergkelder (cellar in the mountain) which is where the wines of Fleur du Cap are made. Their Unfiltered Collection is a range of beautifully made wines often considered as benchmarks in the industry and the Fleur du Cap Range offers wines from premium level to excellent everyday drinking wines. Cellarmaster Andrea Freeborough (SA Women Wine maker of the Year 2010) is responsible for the making of the wines with the assistance of Pieter

Entrance to Bergkelder -"Cellar in the mountain"

Badenhorst, while Bennie Liebenberg takes care of the vineyards.

The unfiltered collection have been highly praised by local and overseas wine critics, as well as receiving international awards. The most recent accolades came from Don Winkler and Mike Potashnik of The International Wine Review, a highly respected American-based bi-monthly wine report. Don and Mike were out here recently where they spent two months travelling in our wine growing regions reviewing South African wines. They evaluated over 750 wines which would sell for $15.00 or more.

The three high scoring Fleur du Cap wines in their review are the Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Limited Release (90+), the Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Semillon Viognier 2010 (90+) and the Unfiltered Merlot 2009 (90).

Pronounced “excellent” and a “superb Sauvignon Blanc done in the Loire style” Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Limited Release is made from a blend of fruit from the coastal regions of Darling and Agulhas.

The Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier 2010, is described by Mike and Don as “delicate and fragrant” and “a delicious mix”.

However I was interested in their comments on the Unfiltered Merlot 2009 as I had been given a bottle last week! They summarised the wine as follows: “Lush on the attack and on the palate, mouthfilling with fresh red fruit and nice firm tannins on the finish”. Sounded good so I opened my bottle knowing it would also be the right choice to enjoy with the leg of lamb we had on the Weber.

The wine is full-bodied with intense aromas of plum and red currant fruit with subtle hints of minty dark chocolate. This all comes together on the rich and velvety palate with its delicious integrated flavours of dark berry fruit and bitter chocolate all wrapped up with supple tannins. The richness found on the wine is partially due to the wine being left on the lees after fermentation, prior to it being matured in small oak barrels.

Cellarmaster Andrea Freeborough says “With autumn on its way, my favourite pairing is with lamb chops in a sweet basting or marinade. It also goes well with roast chicken with a sage and onion stuffing.”

Good suggestions but I can add Roast leg of Lamb to the list as well!

Expect to Pay R126.00 @ Wine Concepts