Plaisir de Merle is a historic farm located in the fertile Groot Drakenstein valley near Franschhoek. When the French Huguenots arrived at the Cape in 1688, this piece of land was granted to Charles Marais. The modern day Plaisir de Merle came about as a result of various consolidations through the years and today comprises a magnicent estate with a historic manor house and state-of-the-art cellar, which has been in use since 1993.
The cellarmaster is talented Niel Bester, who is creating some outstanding wines, with a French contribution by consultant Paul Pontallier from Chateau Margaux.
Literally speaking, "Plaisir de Merle" means "pleasure of the blackbird". The name could derive from the little bird announcing the arrival of the harvest in France , but also from Le Plessis Marly, the home town of the Huguenot founder. Plaisir de Merle is today one of the largest wine farms in South Africa and synonomous with world class wines.
Plaisir de Merle is the company's boutique winery, a showcase estate associated with wines of unsurpassed quality. The brand is situated at the top end of the high price wine category and is aimed at consumers with a discerning taste for quality wines. At Plaisir de Merle the goal is to harmoniously integrate vineyard practice with winemaking in order to produce an exclusive range of wines designed to find favour with the most discerning palate. Plaisir de Merle uses its "French" connection as a point of difference and wants to be seen as a specialist red wine producer.
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Plaisir de Merle
Chardonnay Paarl 2003
Flashy style, with lots of fig, butter, pineapple and brioche
aromas and flavors. Lush palate, with a soft, creamy finish. Could use
a little more zip, but will certainly have fans. Drink now. 700 cases
made. (JM)
Plaisir de Merle
Shiraz Paarl 2003
Ripe blackberry and cassis fruit with racy acidity and a
minerally, smoky finish. Solid. Drink now through 2006. 1,000 cases made.
(JM)
Nederburg 2003 Western
Cape Pinotage
87 Points
Saturated with plum and blueberry fruit, this smooth,
smoky pinotage is soft and relatively light. Pair it with the dark meat
of game birds or turkey.
2005 Nederburg
Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape
A Best Buy
This wine has a vegetal character, but tropical fruit
flavors are just as dominant. Intense flavors and aromas, lively acidity
and a warm finish make this an ideal match for oily foods. Imported by
Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.
2003 Nederburg
Pinotage
Western Cape
A Best Buy
This ruby-red wine has a lot to offer. It offers vanilla,
spice, Maraschino cherry and cola in the nose, while the palate is packed
with more cherry, vanilla, a mild minerality and some lemon notes. It
finishes smooth, with coffee and spice. Imported by Dreyfus, Ashby &
Co.
2002 Nederburg
Shiraz
Western Cape
A Best Buy
On the nose, plum and juicy berry are joined by cocoa
powder and vanilla. With ir, grilled meat aromas emerge. The palate starts
out a bit sweet with vanilla, but quickly picks up fruit, spice and charred
meat notes. All this in a package that is soft without being simple.
Plaisir de Merle is a historic farm located in the fertile Groot Drakenstein valley near Franschhoek. When the French Huguenots arrived at the Cape in 1688, this piece of land was granted to Charles Marais. The modern day Plaisir de Merle came about as a result of various consolidations through the years and today comprises a magnicent estate with a historic manor house and state-of-the-art cellar, which has been in use since 1993.
