About the wine
This seriously elegant Elgin Merlot was saved from lockdown limbo by Richard Kershaw and the power of Angels
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This seriously elegant Merlot is a match for Bordeaux’s finest, and a vital lifeline for Richard’s Elgin neighbours, whose wine business might have gone under if Angels hadn’t stepped in to rescue their super-classy wines from lockdown limbo.
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Perfectly balanced, with a freshness on the palate, and rich plummy fruit flavours, it’s been lovingly aged in posh French oak for almost 2 years and is still gently maturing away in the bottle. But if you can’t wait to open it, this is a wine that really comes to life when you let it breathe. Knock the top off an hour or two before dinner, then pour yourself a glass and prepare to be blown away.
- Richard’s called this wine Ubuntu - a Zulu word that roughly translates to ‘I am, because you are’ - meaning empathy and compassion towards others. It’s his tribute to the Angels who’ve helped keep the SA wine industry alive in its time of need. Your support means the world to him and his neighbours. “Thank you so much for supporting South African wine through buying this wine, and also allowing me to help other winemakers in trouble.”
Best before
Drink now to 2026
Serving advice
Open/Decant 1 to 2 hours before serving
Food match
This Merlot works nicely with tomato based sauces as well as umami flaovurs. Dishes such as pasta with tomato, pancetta and mushrooms work nicely, as does Cumberland sausages with fennel or roast turkey with cranberry sauce. Roast squash, red peppers and beetroot work a treat. Also try jambalaya, spaghetti with meatballs, macaroni cheese or a simple cheeseburger.
Contains sulphites
Always check the label
South Africa
Merlot
Big Red
13.5% ABV
75cl
Vegan
Vegetarian
Wine profile
Meet the winemaker - Richard Kershaw
- He's a tip-off from Rod and Richard proved he is seriously wine savvy when he became a Master of Wine. Not bad for a man from Sheffield!
- Angel funding gave Richard the jump his one-man business needed, allowing him to tap into South Africa's huge potential to make spectacular wines without hiking up the price.
- Unlike the show-off wineries in South Africa, Richard dreams of owning a shed to make wine in. So you're not paying for fancy cellar doors, marble floors, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Just raw winemaking talent, great grapes, and a shed.
Ratings
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Followers
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