Laibach Merlot 2003

Swiss International Air Line Awards 2005 - Gold
Silver - International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2005
A full bodied wine with enormous color and concentration. Chocolate, with hints of toast and dried prunes. Great depth in flavour with classy oak supporting a good mid palette structure. Well balanced, with juicy red berries ending in a medium length finish. Rich and rewarding. Still very much in its youth, this wine has the potential to develop in a truly great example of this noble variety.

variety : Merlot [ 100% Merlot ]

winery : Ladybird Vineyards

winemaker : Stefan Dorst

wine of origin : Coastal

analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol rs : 2.2 g/l pH : 3.8 ta : 5.5 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full taste : Fragrant

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

AWARDS

Swiss International Air Line Awards 2005 - Gold
Silver - International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2005

in the vineyard : For many people in Southâ€“Africa Merlot always played only a part in blending with Cabernet Sauvignon. Ask any good viticulturist which cultivar is the most difficult to grow and I will bet you that Merlot will be on the list. Merlot needs a lot of attention, not just in the vineyard but also in the cellar. Attention to detail is absolutely priority in trying to produce an exceptional wine. At Laibach the 2003 vintage for this grape just started great. The block for this wine won the vineyard block competition for the best block in Stellenbosch and surrounding areas. Half the battle was won. Always being a great fan of Pomerol and Chateau Petrus, I took a month in 2002 to work in this exceptional Merlot terroir and to learn a little bit more about how to produce a great wine. What a learning experience and something I will never forget.

Many things have been said about the 2003 vintage and I think it was a great year to produce exceptional red wine. Good ripeness and balanced sugar levels produced very balanced and elegant wines.

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