The results are in and for the first time ever, the top scoring six Merlots and the RECM best value six pack have no wines in common. The best rated half dozen are
Welbedacht Merlot Barrique Select 2010 score 16.10 price R120.00 value R153.56
Org de Rac Reserve Merlot 2013 score 16.00 price R120.00 value R149.39
Klein Roosboom Merlot 2012 score 15.90 price R95.00 value R141.57
Barton Merlot 2012 score 15.70 price R90.00 value R120.65
Org de Rac Reserve Merlot 2011 score 15.70 price R120.00 value R120.65
Hillcrest Quarry Merlot 2011 score 15.70 price R150.00 value R120.65
while the best value six are
Namaqua Merlot 2013 score 15.10 price R28.75 value R74.01
Signal Cannon Merlot 2013 score 15.50 price R49.50 value R102.51
Bonnievale Unpretentious Merlot 2013 score 15.20 price R42.00 value R80.40
Boplaas Merlot 2012 score 15.30 price R50.00 value R89.41
Kranskop Merlot 2010 score 15.40 price R60.00 value R92.67
Slanghoek Private Selection Merlot 2012 score 15.00 price R40.00 value R61.06
The best value wines are from three wine collectives (co-ops in the old language) Namaqua, Bonnievale and Slanghoek while Vondeling, Boplaas and Kranskop complete the selection. Price and score correlate at 0.38, so when it comes to Merlot, you get what you pay for, more or less.
The top scoring wines range in price from R90 to R150 (average R116) for an average score of 15.85 while the best values run from R28.75 to R60 (average R45) for an average rating of 15.25. That extra half a point of score costs you two and a half times as much. So is it really worth it?
