Kleine Orangerie 'Flora and Fauna' Merlot (South Africa)

Hugely appealing, naturally-fermented Merlot with vibrant fruit, freshness and finesse.

This wine represents South African Merlot incredibly well, with a deeply varietal nose of dark cherry-chocolate over crushed minerals, with a leafy note. The palate is generously laden with dark plum and chocolate notes on a long, velveteen finish.

This wine is partially made with Merlot grapes from Paarl vineyards grown on sandy loams, where picking early is crucial to finesse notes of blueberry, bramble and natural leafiness. An accomplished Merlot, correct, yet moreish in the glass.

Working with vines old and new across the Cape, Kleine Oranjerie captures the Cape’s marvellous menagerie of vines in a glass. Fruit is sourced from exceptional sites, from Kleine's farm in Franschhoek, to the farthest-flung blocks of the Western Cape. All their wines are gently pressed and naturally-fermented the better to express the unique personality and provenance of our wines. They champion old vineyards over 35 years old, some indeed planted in the 1900s. Beneath the mighty dome of the Cape’s wild weather, Kleine finesses their wild ferments. Welcome to the small world of Kleine Oranjerie.

This wine would be delectable alongside a baked mushroom, stuffed with sundried tomato cous cous.