Our own 'Chateau Margaux'?

Thursday, 13 April, 2017
Judy Brower - wine.co.za
South African Wines have taken a long time to move up close to the prices of top French wines, but Neil Pendock thinks Plaisir de Merle have nailed it! (for the quality at least!)

Plaisir de Merle is a pretty large estate, owned by giant Distell, situated on the south-easterly slopes of the Simonsberg - almost equidistant from Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl - slap bang in the middle of the winelands. Established in 1993, it has grown in stature over the years, and it seems the release of their new Charles Marais red blend is ticking many boxes.

On Monday 10th April, a few lucky wine and lifestyle media were treated to the launch of the Charles Marais, paired with a most delicious lunch prepared by the brave and bold Bertus Basson (of Overture, Spek&Bone, Spice Route and many other pop-up restaurants!).  Bertus is definitely flavour-of-the-month (or year or 2) as he is often invited to cook for top wine estates to show off their wines.

I have often been bemused at some of the odd-shaped meals I have enjoyed of his in the last year or so - and so I was delighted to hear that he in fact is going back to cooking and presenting things in their more natural form.  The main course - braised lamb shoulder - was just sublime and fell off the bone!

Charles Marais - named after the original owner of the farm, a French Huguenot, is a red blend, and Niel Bester took us through some of the single varieties which may make up the blend for 2016.  The Charles Marais we enjoyed is from the 2013 harvest, having spent 18 months in 1st fill barrels, 6 months in 3rd-fill barrels and 2 years in the bottle.  The red blend comprises Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit verdot, Cabernet franc and Merlot.

Plaisir de Merle sells off most of its grapes and wine to Distell's major brand, Nederburg, but it retains about 30% for its own brand, and makes a smallish range of wines.

Neil Pendock (South African Wine Judge and writer) was so impressed with the wine that he suggested to Niel Bester (Cellarmaster of Plaisir de Merle) and the marketing team - that in fact Plaisir de Merle should sell off even more of its product to Nederburg and not make any other wine except this very one.  Neil was at the original launch of Plaisir de Merle in 1993 and he thinks the wines have now come of age, the quality is superb, and they should stick to blends. 
He however thinks that the suggested retail price of R1050 per bottle is far too low! 

'People don't go to Chateau Margaux and ask to taste their Sauvignon Blanc or their Cabernet, they go just for the blend and they just ask for the Chateau Margaux - and I think you should not be charging $70 for this wine but $140!'

 

 

 The packaging is of course very stylish, so if you do buy one of these beautiful wines, do let it rest in your cellar, as it will last a good 10 years.

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Plaisir de Merle - Charles Marais
Plaisir de Merle - Charles Marais

Bertus Basson's braised lamb shoulder
Bertus Basson's braised lamb shoulder

Neil Pendock
Neil Pendock

Plaisir de Merle launch Charles Marais (80)
Plaisir de Merle launch Charles Marais (80)

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