Holden Manz Reserve Merlot 2022 is a Franschhoek red built in a fuller, classically styled frame, where ripe dark fruit, oak maturation, and firm but polished tannins come together with real confidence. This is not a light, early-drinking Merlot. It leans into the variety’s darker, more structured side, while still keeping enough freshness and balance to remain composed in the glass. For drinkers who want a serious South African Merlot with both richness and cellar potential, this is a convincing example.
The nose opens with mulberry, blackberry, and dark cherry, followed by subtle spice and the measured influence of oak. On the palate, dark fruits, blueberry, cherry, and tobacco notes unfold over a smooth, well-shaped texture, with balanced acidity keeping the wine focused. The tannins are rich and refined, giving the wine structure without drying it out, and the finish is long, polished, and persistent. It would pair especially well with roast duck, beef fillet, lamb, or mushroom-based dishes where its fruit, spice, and tannic frame can settle naturally into the food.
The nose opens with mulberry, blackberry, and dark cherry, followed by subtle spice and the measured influence of oak. On the palate, dark fruits, blueberry, cherry, and tobacco notes unfold over a smooth, well-shaped texture, with balanced acidity keeping the wine focused. The tannins are rich and refined, giving the wine structure without drying it out, and the finish is long, polished, and persistent. It would pair especially well with roast duck, beef fillet, lamb, or mushroom-based dishes where its fruit, spice, and tannic frame can settle naturally into the food.
The fruit came from a season marked by strong vineyard health and even ripening, with a warm end to winter followed by a cooler spring that helped slow early growth. Warm, dry, and windy summer conditions reduced yields, concentrating the fruit. Hand-selected bunches then underwent individual berry selection so that only the best fruit was fermented. The wine was matured for 27 months in 50% new French oak barrels, a regime that supports both structure and integration while preserving the classic shape of the Merlot.
Winemaker: Thierry Haberer
Winemaker: Thierry Haberer
Named after owners Gerard Holden and Migo Mans, this Franschhoek property was originally developed into a wine farm in 1999. Located in the top, southern-most corner of the Franschhoek Valley, in the embrace of its spectacular mountains, the 22 hectares Holden Manz Wine Estate is situated between the Franschhoek River and Stony Brook at 300 meters above sea level.
Today it is a lifestyle destination, boasting five-star guest house and spa, restaurant, picnics by the Franschhoek river, with an art collection housed in the town. An exclusive grower of red grapes, the Estate only cultivates its top 16 hectares under vineyards, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot resulting in the production of ultra-premium wines made for the discerning wine connoisseur.
Today it is a lifestyle destination, boasting five-star guest house and spa, restaurant, picnics by the Franschhoek river, with an art collection housed in the town. An exclusive grower of red grapes, the Estate only cultivates its top 16 hectares under vineyards, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot resulting in the production of ultra-premium wines made for the discerning wine connoisseur.
