Vineyards the Merlot vineyards are planted on the lower-lying areas of the farm on slopes facing in southern and south-eastern directions, established in a mixture of Ouklip and kaolin soils. The vines are trellised on a five-wire hedge system with pest and disease control managed according to the IPW rules and standards. Stand-by drip irrigation is employed. Both the range of soils and variety of clones planted has contributed to the complexity of the wine. The grapes were harvested by hand at 23.5 degrees celsius to 25 degrees celsius balling. Yields averaged between 7 and 9 tons per hector. Winemaking The hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes were destemmed and crushed into stainless-steel tanks, fermented over seven days, reaching a peak temperature of 27 degrees celsius. Extraction was achieved through rack-and-return and pump-overs. Ferments were Taste: d daily to determine the level of extraction with pump-overs adapted accordingly. On completion of fermentation, the wine spent a further three days on the skins for optimal colour and flavour extraction. The free-run juice was then drained off and the skins pressed gently. The wine was transferred to small French Oak barrels where it underwent natural malolactic fermentation and was next racked back into the barrels, where it matured for a period of 16 months. After maturation the wine was blended with a light fining and was gently filtered before bottling.
Wine Maker's Comments:
- Colour: Deep red in colour with a bright ruby hue
- Bouquet: An abundance of plum, strawberry and mulberry aromas with subtle mint
- Taste: A full-bodied wine with red berry and plum flavours enhanced by a trace of smokiness. A succulent palate of fruity sweetness and soft, round tannins balanced with Oak spice, making this an easily-accessible wine
- Food Pairing: Excellent enjoyed on it's own or served with oxtail, casseroles, steaks, game, pizza and pasta dishes
Chemical Analysis:
- Alcohol: 14.36% by volume
- Residual sugar: 2.05 g-l
- Total acidity: 5.56 g-l
- pH: 3.56
- Extract: 31.00 g-l
Feature:
- Weight: 8.19kg