The Merlot vineyards grow on the warm, north-facing slopes of the Helderberg region within the Stellenbosch appellation. With an altitude of approximately 250 metres above sea level, together with the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the ripening period can be extended, resulting in wines with phenolic ripeness.
Hand-picked bunches arrived at the winery in the early hours of the morning. The bunches were sorted and destemmed, after which the berries underwent secondary sorting via an optical sorter to ensure that only the ripe berries remained. These whole berries were fermented in open top tanks. Intermittent pump-overs and punch downs ensured a balance was achieved when extracting flavour, colour and tannins from the skins. All ferments were meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure that the natural aromas and flavours were preserved. After primary fermentation some batches were left on the skins for an extended maceration period. The batches were pressed and transferred to various old and new oak for maturation. Each batch of Merlot was micro-vinified in barrels before blending and bottling took place.
Rubied with a violet core. Vividly fragrant; black and red cherries, plum compôte, printer’s ink, wild raspberry leaf, forest. Evolving into deeper layers of crushed dark gravel, a brooding flintiness overlaid with cinnamon-smoke. Molten cherries come to the fore of the palate, cresting on a wave of airy, pillowy tannins; then blackberries, plums, and tangy redcurrants. The tannins stretch through fine yet mouthcoating, acting as ballast for the sumptuous intensity of fruit. The concentration of the vintage is on display here, imbued by longer than usual hang times from the cooler growing season. The wine rises in sapidity towards the finish, going savoury with crushed coriander spice in the echo.
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Alc 13.8% by Vol. -R.S 2.6 g/l - T.A. 5.4 g/l - pH 3.65
Aged for 16 months in French Oak barrels (20% new)
