Downes Family Vineyards, Elgin (South Africa) Merlot 2014

 This producer also makes a quite good “regular” Merlot, but this flagship bottling is certainly the one to seek out.  It is sold in a very big bottle and smells very much of new oak.  Both of those are marks of a “statement wine” that are likely to turn me off, but this won me back with very good complexity based on a mix of red and black fruit tones, a good combination of freshness and ripeness, and powerful fruit that manages to counterbalance the oak very effectively.  I was quoted at price of $65, but have seen this offered for quite a bit less, so shop around.