Vergelegen takes top Merlot trophy at Fine Wine Awards

Vergelegen Wine Estate's Reserve Merlot 2022 has received a prestigious South African varietal award, winning the trophy for the best Merlot at the 2026 Fine Wine Awards, sponsored by American Express.

This outstanding wine also earned a gold medal with a score of 97 points, reinforcing Vergelegen’s place among the country's finest producers in a competition widely recognised as a benchmark of wine excellence.

The 2026 competition attracted 959 wines across 20 categories, evaluated over six days of rigorous blind tasting.

Wine profile and production

This Reserve Merlot 2022 reflects Vergelegen's longstanding commitment to producing wines that express the character of the estate's exceptional terroir. The grapes were sourced from north- and north-west-facing vineyard blocks where clay-rich soils provide valuable resilience under stressful conditions, allowing the fruit to develop outstanding concentration and balance.

The wine was crafted through meticulous hand harvesting, careful berry selection and gentle extraction techniques before maturing for 12 months in 225-litre and 300-litre oak barrels.

It displays aromas of ripe plum layered with indulgent dark chocolate and subtle nutmeg, culminating in a velvety, elegant finish. While immediately enjoyable, the wine has cellaring potential for seven to eight years.

Awards and judge comments

"This award reflects the dedication of our vineyard and cellar teams, whose attention to detail at every stage enables us to produce exceptional wines," said Vergelegen managing director Wayne Coetzer.

"We are delighted to receive this accolade and hope wine enthusiasts will enjoy every glass as much as we enjoyed crafting it.”

“The calibre of wines presented this year once again speaks to the confidence, maturity and diversity of South African winemaking,” said the competition judges.

“From internationally acclaimed classics to exciting contemporary expressions, the wines submitted showcased not only technical excellence but also the individuality of their vineyards, regions and makers.”

The wine retails for R370/bottle from the Vergelegen estate and online shop, as well as major retailers.