Boland Kelder’s Merlot was crowned SA Young Wine of the year 2008 and walked away with the coveted General Smuts Trophy. (See picture)

This title is the highest achievable accolade for a young wine in this competition. According to Bernard Smuts, the winemaker responsible for the winning wine, the Merlot showed award-winning potential even before the completion of fermentation with its “audacious berry flavours and well-balanced tannin structure.”

The Merlot underwent both initial and malolactic fermentation in French Oak barrels, and will undergo 16 to 18 months of wood maturation, depending on how it develops up to the time of bottling. The plan is to release the wine during late-2009 under the Boland Kelder Winemakers Selection label.

Boland Kelder boasts with 10 gold awards at this year’s competition. Their  Chenin Blanc / Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc / Nouvelle, Chenin Blanc / Viognier (wooded), Chenin Blanc (5.1g-12g RS) and Chenin Blanc (12g – 30g RS) all achieved gold.

Their reds did not disappoint either. Their Shiraz / Ruby Cabernet (wooded), Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Pinotage (wooded), Ruby Cabernet (wooded) and of course the Merlot (wooded) all achieved gold as well.  Jurie Germishuys, Boland Kelder’s cellar master, was not a little proud:  “It again shows that Boland Kelder’s philosophy of teamwork from the vine to the bottle is the key to its success.”

The awards were presented by Agri-Expo in conjunction with SANW.  179 cellars participated in the competition this year with 2036 wines competing across 17 categories.

 

Source: www.winecountry.co.za