Pour this and you get a glassful of ripe plum and black cherry, the kind of red that feels generous without bullying your palate. Tannins are smooth, the fruit is pure and a little juicy, and there's just enough vanilla and cedar from the oak to make it feel grown-up. Friday nyama choma, a slow Sunday roast, or just you and a good series at 11pm. It says yes to all of it.
On the nose it's all ripe red and dark fruit. Think plums, black cherry, a flash of raspberry, with a soft whisper of mint and vanilla underneath. First sip is rounded and fruit-forward, that sweet-fruit richness Merlot does so well, then the French oak rolls in with a touch of cedar and spice. Tannins are silky, not grippy, so it glides rather than dries you out. Dry overall, medium-to-full bodied, and it finishes clean and balanced. An approachable red that still has something to say.
The details
Pairs well with
Where it's from
Asara sits in Stellenbosch, the heart of South African wine country, on land that's been farmed since the late 1600s. Entrepreneur Markus Rahmann took over in 2001 and turned it into the food-and-wine estate it is today. This Merlot comes off a sun-exposed crest planted in cool, nutrient-rich Tukulu soil, then spends around a year in medium-toast French oak, only a small slice in new barrels, so the oak supports the fruit instead of swamping it. That's why it tastes polished but never over-oaked.
Quick questions
- What is the price of Asara Merlot 75cl?
Asara Merlot 75cl is KSh 3,499 at Oaks & Corks. Order online for fast delivery across Nairobi, usually within the hour, or next day countrywide.
- What does Asara Merlot 75cl taste like?
Ripe plum and black cherry up front, a hint of raspberry, mint and vanilla, then soft cedar and spice from the French oak. It's dry, medium-to-full bodied, with silky tannins and a clean, balanced finish.
- What is the ABV of Asara Merlot?
It's 14% ABV, in a standard 750ml bottle.
- Is Asara Merlot sweet or dry?
It's a dry red. The fruit is ripe and rich so it can read as 'fruity', but there's no real sugar sweetness.
- How should I serve Asara Merlot?
Lightly cool at 16 to 18°C in a big-bowled glass. Give it 15 to 30 minutes open or a good swirl, and serve it neat with food.
- What food pairs with Asara Merlot?
Grilled and roasted meats are the sweet spot. Nyama choma, burgers, roast chicken, lamb, plus pizza, tomato pasta and aged cheddar.
- Where is Asara Merlot from?
From Asara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on a farm with roots going back to the 1690s.
Asara Merlot 75cl
★★★★ 4.0 (1 review)Customer reviews
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Asara Merlot 75cl price in Kenya
Buy Asara Merlot 75cl online in Nairobi, Kenya for KSh 3,499. Order now for fast delivery across Nairobi — usually within 30 minutes — or next-day delivery countrywide.