Hartenberg Wine Estate has been awarded a Gold Medal for its 2010 Merlot at the 21st Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. A total of 58 producer countries competed in this prestigious competition, held this year in the Belgian capital Brussels. Sommeliers, wine buyers, importers, journalists and wine writers –310 wine tasters representing 51 nationalities – gathered for three days earlier in May to judge this year’s entries.

Already an award-winning wine this superb Merlot was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2013 Veritas Awards as well as receiving a 4-star rating in the internationally recognized 2014 Platter’s South African Wine Guide. The US-based Robert Parker Group scored the same wine a total of 90 points, an accomplishment not achieved by many.

The 2005 vintage received the trophy for the Best Merlot in the World at the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition in London. Winemaker Carl Schultz was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year in 2005 for the 2004 Merlot.

A hand crafted wine; with each vineyard carefully selected the grapes were hand-picked early in the morning to ensure the best quality. Carl describes the 2010 Merlot as being silky and elegant, displaying long lasting, prominent black and red fruit flavours, with hints of vanilla and orchards of plum.

‘Great care was taken in making this wine and this latest accolade reaffirms our passion and dedication for winemaking,’ comments Carl.

The 2010 Hartenberg Merlot is available direct from the wine estate at R125 per bottle (cellar door price), and at select specialist stores nationwide.