Merlot Report 2017

Wednesday, 28 June, 2017
Winemag.co.za, Christian Eedes
The inaugural Merlot Report in association with the official producer body known as the Merlot Forum is now out. (26 June 2017)

67 entries were received from 50 producers for this year’s competition and we included the La Chenade 2014 Lalande de Pomerol as a ringer. These were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by the three-person panel, scoring done according to the 100-point quality scale.

Wines to rate 90 or higher on the 100-point quality scale were as follows:

92
Boschendal 1685 2015
Price: R110

Org de Rac 2015
Price: R64

To read more online, click here.

Full Merlot 2017 Tasting Report

JUDGING PROCEDURES
67 entries were received from 50 producers. The judging panel was chaired by myself and further consisted of two trusted colleagues, namely Roland Peens and James Pietersen, both of Wine Cellar, Cape Town merchants and cellarers of fine wine. We tasted blind, ratings done according to the 100- point system. Final scores were awarded on the basis of discussion that involved retasting where necessary rather than relying solely on arithmetic averaging.
Christian Eedes, Editor, Winemag.co.za