Asara Merlot 2002

This well matured Merlot displays the distinctive characters that are found in the Merlot vineyards of Asara. Ripe blackberry and cassis flavours from mature grapes were carefully nurtured in French oak for 18 months. On the palate there is structure, elegance and mouth-filling fruit with hints of white chocolate, cedar wood and mint.

Antipasti containing cured meats, selected cheeses and game bird dishes.

variety : Merlot [ 100% Merlot ]

winery : Asara Wine Estate and Hotel

winemaker : Jan van Rooyen

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 13.5 % vol rs : 2.3 g/l pH : 3.45 ta : 6.4 g/l

type : Red style : Dry wooded

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

AWARDS

2007 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show - Bronze Medal (74/100)

ageing : A wine that is ready to be enjoyed now but will last for at least 8 more years.

in the vineyard : Age: 8 y/o
Soil type: Tukulu Yellow Brown Gravel
Clone: MD12
Trellising: 5 wire removable Perold
Rootstock: Richter 99
Plant spacing: 1.2m by 2.7m

The area between Stellenboschkloof and Devon Valley, where Asara Wine Estate is located, is well known for fine red wines. We have taken the tradition of great red wine growing a step further by carefully selecting the planting sites for our Merlot, and in doing this we have added more value to the wine. This approach has proved to be successful since the Merlot from Asara has been well awarded over the years.

about the harvest: The time of harvest was determined by analysis as well as tasting of the grape skins and seeds for optimal maturity.

in the cellar : A cold maceration of 48 hours prior to alcoholic fermentation with selected yeast strains is the key to producing great Merlot from this Estate. The fermentation lasted for two weeks at a temperature of between 25 and 29 ºC. Pumpovers by means of rack-and-return occurred regularly during the first week to ensure full extraction of flavour and ripe tannins.

The secondary malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. This was followed up by another very important step in the production of great red wines, namely traditional maturation in French oak casks for 18 months. The maturation takes place at a constant humidity and a temperature of 15 to 16 ºC, to ensure a slow and natural evolution of flavours that is necessary to create a perfect marriage between oak and fruit.

We determined the end of this maturation period by tasting each barrel for flavour and structure. The process of blending the barrels together to produce the final wine was the next step. Five blends were put forward to the panel of judges to select the best Merlot which was then stabilised and lightly filtered before bottling.

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