Overgaauw, Merlot Reserve, Stellenbosch

2022 Overgaauw, Merlot Reserve, Stellenbosch

Western Cape,South Africa,

£22.98

Bottle size: 75cl,
  • GS-93

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This is the story behind South Africa’s first bottled single varietal Merlot. Upon discovering the Merlot vines he planted in 1973 were infected with leafroll virus, Braam van Velden set out to find healthy virus-free vines. After an extensive search, new Italian clone Merlot vines were obtained and planted in 1979. “Our first vintage from this block was in 1982. The wine was so impressive that we deemed it worthy to be bottled on its own. This also prompted us to extend the wine’s time in the small oak barrels to nine months, which was a long time in those days.” When the Merlot was bottled in 1983, it was the first single varietal South African Merlot on the market. There were many raised eyebrows: “I remember being asked why we were bottling a blending wine on its own.”

Category: SKU: hub-10467804-1-DP-STOCK-N

Description

The Overgaauw Merlot is still made in its original ’Cape Claret’ style. David selects certain pockets within
the vineyard that shows great fruit concentration and reflects the uniqueness of Overgaauw’s Merlot. It is
a well-structured, medium-bodied wine with a rich combination of sumptuous black cherry fruit, hints of
cocoa powder and elegant spicy oak notes. The fine but firm tannins are complemented by a mouth-filling
fruity and lingering complexity. While this Merlot can be enjoyed now, it invites another 7 years in the
bottle when it should reveal a pleasant surprise to those with patience. Decant this wine 30 minutes prior
for optimum enjoyment.

Additional information

Wine Type

Red
Country

South Africa
Region

Western Cape
Subregion

Stellenbosch
Vintage

2022
Brand

Overgaauw
Cultivar

Merlot
Bottle Size

75cl
Pack Size

1x75cl
Alcohol Percentage

14.50
Duty Status

Duty Paid
Availability

Immediate
Rating Agencies

Greg Sherwood

Tasting Notes

Greg Sherwood 93

As the first Estate bottled Merlot in South Africa, the burden of expectation rests heavily on the shoulders of the Overgaauw winery. Where the Estate Merlot is sleek, modestly complex, and textbook supple and elegant, the Estate Reserve opens more avenues of complexity and intricacy. Remaining classical and elegantly restrained in a true Stellenbosch style, the Reserve reveals complex aromatics of freshly tilled earth, fleshy plum and black currants, hints of mulberry and sweet tannery leather. On the palate, the sweet sappy cedary oak spice melts seamlessly into layers of fleshy plummy black fruits, black chai tea, delicately herbaceous dried baking herbs, graphite, and crushed granite minerality underpinned by dense creamy soft tannins. Undoubtedly a wine with substance and depth that will appeal to drinkers looking for something substantial but also slightly less challenging than Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now to 2034+. [Greg Sherwood MW, 08/12/2025]

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