Banghoek Reserve Merlot

The wine's rich earthiness and bountiful fruit make it an excellent companion to dishes like lamb navarin. Its warm spice and dark plum notes harmonize beautifully with the savory elements of such meals.

Sourced from Delaire Graff Estate's oldest single vineyard in the Banghoek Valley, the grapes benefit from the region's unique terroir. The cool climate and meticulous vineyard management contribute to the wine's depth and complexity.

The wine matured for 16 months in French oak barrels, with 70% being new oak. This ageing process imparts subtle oak nuances and contributes to the wine's overall elegance and complexity.

The Merlot grapes were hand-harvested in the early morning and underwent extensive sorting to ensure quality. They were de-stemmed and partially crushed, followed by a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs at cooler temperatures of 24°C - 26°C. Post-fermentation, the wine was left on the skins for four to six weeks at 16°C to enhance its structure and flavor profile.

Delaire Graff is a Stellenbosch wine estate on the Helshoogte Pass, where mountain slopes and cooling maritime influence shape the vineyards. Known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, red blends, rosé and MCC, the estate produces polished South African wines with fruit intensity, freshness and structure.