Lord Neethling Laurentius 2003

ageing : 

The wine is ready to enjoy now or can be matured for a further 4-6 years.

Viticulturist: Eben Archer
The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was planted in 1987 on north-west facing slopes, situated at 120m above sea level. The Merlot was planted in 1998 on north-westerly slopes situated at 210m above sea level. The Cabernet Franc vineyard grown in Tukulu soil was planted in 1987 on south-west facing slopes, situated at 125m above sea level.

These vineyards with the exception of the Merlot, are grafted onto R99, 110 and 101-4 rootstocks and trellised, using a five-wire vertical fence. The Merlot vines are grafted onto nematode-resistant Richter 99 and 110 rootstocks and trellised on a five-wire system.

The yield from all the vineyards was restricted to an average of 7.5 tons per hectare to enhance the quality of the fruit.

The grapes were harvested by hand at 24° to 25° Balling.

After destalking and crushing, the mash was fermented separately in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks after adding a selected="true", pure yeast culture. Fermentation took place at 28°C and lasted seven days.

After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for a period of 12 months in 90% French and 10% American 300 litre oak barrels, 70% of which was new, 20% second and 10% third fill barrels. The wine was then fined and bottled.