Cape Town - The Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 vintage singled out as one of the top three selected in this year’s exclusive report on South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine received a rating of 93 out of 100 – third-highest in a flight of only 60 wines selected by the judging panel and announced this week.
“The achievement is significant to Plaisir de Merle because our own reputation has been built on Cabernet Sauvignon,” says winemaker Niel Bester. “The Cabernet Sauvignon Report can be seen as a very competitive competition given the 100 point scale that ensures a more thorough and critical evaluation. This makes achieving 90 points or higher that much more meaningful.”
Bester said the wines in the tasting all have very high reputations. “It’s very satisfying to see the Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon take its rightful place among the country’s best.”
The accolade follows on the heels of the gold medal awarded to the Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, regarded as the United Nations of fine wines.
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Plaisir de Merle lies at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain’s east-facing slopes and its vineyards are at the epicentre of South Africa’s most awarded winemaking regions.
Today, it is known for an exceptional portfolio of wines. “The long-standing reputation of our wines makes it important for us to continuously evaluate and improve farm and vineyard practices, and cellar and maturation processes,” says Bester.
Niel Bester joined Plaisir de Merle in 1993 with viticulturists Hannes van Rensburg and Freddie le Roux, who share credit for its achievements.
The Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 is available at the cellar door at R180.00.
The wines of Plaisir de Merle are also available through the Vinotèque - an online shop and wine bank that specialises in the cellaring of wine under optimal conditions and door-to-door delivery.
Plaisir de Merle is located in Simondium on the R45 between Paarl and Franschhoek.
For more information visit Plaisir de Merle call 021 874 1072 .
The wines, available at retail outlets nationwide, are found on many restaurant wine lists and can also be delivered to your door when purchased online through Vinotèque.
IOL adapted from press release