De Trafford Wines, Merlot 2012, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tasting Note: While merlot may be a pain to produce in this region of South Africa, this wine shows why the pain is worth the work.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has a nose of black plum, red cherry and vanilla baking spice.

On the palate the dry, medium-bodied merlot has soft, medium tannin, midpalate complexity and some structure with a hint of stone fruit.

The wine has a velvety mouthfeel and completes with a long finish.