Merlot 2018

VITICULTURE:
The North- South facing vineyards used for this wine are grown in deep
Oakleaf soils and are vertically shoot positioned. Irrigation is monitored and
scheduled according to soil moisture availability. Early leaf plucking in the
bunch zone and a narrow canopy enables sufficient sunlight penetration into
the canopy ensuring ripe tannins and optimal flavour at harvest.

WINEMAKING:
 The bunches were destemmed onto the sorting table ensuring the
removal of all stalks and retaining a whole berry component of 30% in
the fermenter.
 The mash was then cold soaked overnight at 12 degrees Celsius.
 Fermentation was done in open stainless steel fermenters at 24-28
degrees Celsius using a commercial yeast strain specifically suited to the
cultivar.
 Pumpovers were done 3-4 times daily to extract flavour and tannins for
structure.
 The mash was pressed immediately after primary fermentation was
completed to avoid harsh tannin extraction.
 The wine was gravity fed to 225l barrels after secondary or Malo-lactic
fermentation.
 Maturation in 25% new, 52% second fill and 23% third fill French oak
barrels lasted for 18 months and the wine was then lightly filtered prior
to bottling.

TASTING NOTES:
Intense aromatics of dark plum, mulberry and liquorice with a hint of mint. A
generously juicy midpalate is well cradled by ripe tannin and lingering pepper
wood spice on the long finish.

FOOD PAIRING:
The bold structure of this Merlot ensures versatility and would pair well with a
wide range of game, especially ostrich.

BOTTLE ANALYSIS:
Alcohol : 14.5%
Residual Sugar : 2.8g/l
pH : 3.63
Total acidity : 5.6g/l

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