Jordan Black Magic Merlot 2018

Gary and Kathy Jordan (he’s a geologist, she’s an economist) have been making world-class wines since 1993 on a Stellenbosch farm with a history going back over 300 years. Gary’s parents, Ted and Sheelagh, bought the 146 hectare Stellenbosch property in 1982, and embarked on an extensive replanting programme, specializing in classic varieties suited to the different soils and slopes.

The Black Magic Merlot block is one of the highest-lying on the estate, on average180m above sea level, facing both east & west. The viticulturist’s team does tunneling in the canopy, cutting back the vines to allow light and Atlantic breezes through the vineyard. Before harvesting they go through twice to remove any green grapes, only leaving the ripe perfect ones for the Black Magic Merlot. In the cellar the winemaker does part whole-berry fermentation and softer pump-overs to extract aromas of red plums and dark bitter chocolate. French oak maturation seasons the wine to accentuate the seductive flavours and generous velvety tannins.