TASTING NOTES
Deep garnet colour with bright crimson hues hints at the rich aromas and flavours that follow. Mulberry fruits and stewed plums burst forth with a whiff of cigar box and mocha, neatly meshed with toasty characters from fine, well-seasoned French oak barriques. A restricted crop gave small, intensely flavoured berries, providing a concentration and mouthfeel which is both upfront and velvety. A fine coating of sweet and supple fruit tannin adds the final, defining link to this approachable, all occasions red.
IN THE VINEYARD
Location: North West Slopes of the Helderberg
Altitude: 360 m
Distance from the sea: 10 km
Soil type: Hutton (decomposed granite)
Rootstock: Richter 99
Age of vines: 5 years
Trellising: Vertically shoot positioned/Double cordons
Pruning: 2 node spurs
THE HARVEST
The grapes were harvested on the 3rd of March 2003 at 18 tons and 24.5° Balling.
IN THE CELLAR
Closed tank fermentation below 24.5°C with regular aerative pump-overs. We used Lalvin L1033 yeast at a dosage of 25g/hl. Malolactic fermentation in oak barrels for 14 months (30% new wood) followed.
The wine was bottled on the 3rd of September 2004
Production: 744 x 6 cases
AGEING POTENTIAL
Up to 2 years.
BLEND INFORMATION
100% Merlot
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