This beautiful Linton Park Merlot has a ruby colour typical of its advancing years. Aromas of black and red berry fruit have secondary notes of chocolate, spices and olive grove. The wine is rounded, soft, rich, elegant and well balanced with notes of ripe red fruit and spicy nuances in the taste with a subtle hint of olives coming from the aging process, the finish is luxuriously smooth and layered. Linton Park Merlot works very well served with roast beef and lamb, as well as with feathered game.

About the Producer

Linton Park Wines is a historic South African wine producer located in the Wellington district of the Western Cape. Situated on the slopes of the Groenberg Mountain, the estate is known for producing "grapes of distinction" in a unique, cool-microclimate. Located in Wellington, 500 meters above sea level. The vineyards benefit from cool breezes, making them one of the highest vineyards in South Africa and ideal for slow-ripening grapes. The 294-hectare farm has 100 hectares under vine, with soils comprising decomposed, high-mineral granite (Oakleaf, Grenrosa, and Tukulu formations). The winery focuses on sustainability, with a high-trellis system (7-strand hedge) for vertical shoot positioning and hand-harvesting at dawn to maintain fruit quality.

Vineyard and Winery

The grapes for this Merlot are grown on a site, bearing the name of "River Garden". The average age of the vines is 13 years. The grapes are harvested in February, by hand, at dawn. Maceration and temperature controlled fermentation is carried out in steel vats lasting 10-14 days. It is stirred twice a day to keep the cap healthy and to soak of colour and flavour from the skins which naturally rise to the top. After fermentation, it undergoes malolactic fermentation for 2-6 weeks. The wine is matured for twelve months in new  and used French oak barrels. Further aging in old barrels gives the wine spicy olive flavours. It is stabilised and lightly filtered before bottling.