Flagstone Poetry 2019 Merlot

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Winemaker: Gerhard Swart, Flagstone Wines

Classy smooth drinking easy-on-nose wine

The first wine I chose for review was something I had readily available on my wine rack. (No bias)

And it is a 2019 Merlot from Flagstone’s Poetry range. It is a 100% Merlot with the following stats Alc: 13.96 RS: 4.4 pH: 3.51 TA: 6.2

The wine is made by Gerhard Swart who is the winemaker at Flagstone wines located at the “Old Dynamite” Factory sandwiched between the N2, the R44 and the Indian Ocean, and was transformed into a working winery in 2002. The original old Pump House still exists and is part of a long-term plan to be transformed into a New Tasting Room as per their website .

Their core supplying vineyards under management stretch from the southernmost wine growing area in South Africa, Elim, to one of the most easterly vineyard sites high in the Swartberg Mountains to the Breede River valley, north of Cape Town. On a side note they used to do a popcorn and wine pairing which is pretty unique and interesting.

On to the appearance of the bottle and the wine itself.

The bottle is presented with a white label, with their label and range name with year and varietal. And the corner is their ‘We are born creative’ embossed logo in red.

The color of the wine itself is dark ruby red and forms decent legs or droplets down the side of the glass after swirling it for a bit.

The wine delivers a woody, red fruit, a little cherry, and berry, aroma. Full-bodied and rich. They mention mint aromas on the label, but I do not find it so or it is very subtle hints.

The taste is a sweet, yet spicy red blend and the woodiness comes through in the aftertaste. Quite enjoyable. Makes me think about a lasagne that my wife makes with a hint of boerewors spice. Something original made from classic but infused with a new flavour.

Overall, it makes for a quite easy and smooth drinking wine yet complex enough to enjoy with the peppered gammon and jalapeno speckled mash I had for dinner with this delicious wine.

As for the structure,

Acidity: Smooth to slight

Tannins/Dryness: Medium

Body: Medium to Full

Alcohol: 13.96%

Texture: smooth, soft, and mellow

As mentioned before the medium dryness and woodiness come out in the aftertaste and is quite pleasant leaving you with a want for more.

A great wine to give as a gift to people you like to show appreciation or even people you don’t like as you’ll forever have them drinking their cheap wines with longing regret after having tasted this delectable and enjoyable red seductress.

This one I give 4 wine barrels. It is not the best I have ever had but is definitely in the top 5.

If you’d like to try some you can buy it directly here. (No commision or ad revenue generated by this honest-from-the-heart review)