Merlot Reserve

" Very few South African Merlots can compete with the quality of Thelema's Reserve bottling. Serious, structured and glossy, this handles its new French oak comfortably. Fresh, detailed and layered, with fine-grained tannins, cassis, plum and coffee bean flavours and a graphite top note. Classy winemaking. 2022-28 "

" Reserve Merlot displays plenty of meaty depth opening initially with leafy, sappy notes of sandalwood, wood spice, capsicum, black plum and black currants over roasted coffee beans and grilled herbs. Initially quite tight and broody as you’d expect from a young wine like this, with a few hours of breathing, the palate opens up beautifully to reveal a medium bodied depth and breadth, an impressive fruit intensity melting into integrated oak spice nuances and sweet polished tannins, a fleshy plummy texture with expressive black berries, black cherry, stewed black plums, brûléed espresso hints and a tangy fresh acidity on the finish. A classy and characterful red. "