THE Plaisir de Merle Malbec 2008 was the only South African wine to bring home international honours when it was awarded a gold medal at the second Malbec International Competition 2011 held near Bordeaux in France.
It also received a Special Prize for best wine of the Southern Hemisphere.
About 150 wines from ten countries were submitted and judged by some 40 international Malbec specialists. This is a unique competition for an original vine and only 10 gold and 20 silver medals were awarded in total.
Cellarmaster Niel Bester, who also received the South African Terroir Award in 2010 for his Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Franc 2008, says: “My aim with Plaisir de Merle wines has always been to produce site-specific wines portraying the true terroir of the farm. “This award indicates that we are achieving a true sense of place.”
