Currently our most anticipated varietal, based on the first tastings of the 2006 and 2007 vintages, which are still unreleased. Our Merlot grapes have won Best Block of vineyards in the entire Robertson valley, and claimed a few souls on the way with our Merlot Rose, which has its own following by now. A quick overview of the varietal from Wikipedia gives us the following:

Merlot is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. Merlot-based wines usually have medium body with hints of berry, plum, and currant. Its softness and “fleshiness”, combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.

Merlot has indeed earned its reputation as the “go-to” wine in the reds for new wine drinkers, as its fleshy, easy drinking nature will convert even the most staunch anti-wine people.

Like Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot is a wine that pairs well with many foods. A quick list would be: Poultry, red meat, pork, pastas, salads – Merlot can handle them all well. Pizza works too.

For the Kleinhoekkloof Merlot Rose, spicy foods pair particularly well, like portugese prawns, prego rolls and spicy chicken livers. It has to be had, to be believed.

There is no 2008 Merlot Rose left, so its up to you to secure your share of the 2009, due on the market in only a few weeks time. Fill in the form on the bottom of the page, and mail us before its all gone!