Plaisir de Merle in the Franschhoek Wine Valley has reaffirmed its reputation as a producer of fine wines by winning a gold medal at the recent Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) for the estate’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over 8 000 wines from 45 countries were judged by a panel of the world’s leading sommeliers, wine buyers, importers, journalists and wine writers at this annual European event, often referred to as the United Nations of fine wines.
“We are honoured and very proud to add yet another international award to our existing list,” says Niel Bester, winemaker and cellar master at Plaisir de Merle. “This is proof that we are on the right path, both in the vineyard and cellar and serves as inspiration for the whole wine making team.”

Niel describes this award-winning wine as dark red in colour with a bouquet of aromatic mulberry, spicy and cedar notes on the nose and classic flavours of dark fruit, cassis and sweet notes of vanilla and blackberries on the palate. It is rich and concentrated with ripe tannins and ends with a long, soft and elegant finish.

“This Cabernet is very versatile and made for food. It will complement all red meat dishes,” says Niel. “It is also capable of maturing for another 10 years or more.”

The Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is available at the cellar door for R175.

Plaisir de Merle is located in Simondium on the R45 between Paarl and Franschhoek.