Le Bonheur Prima 1995

Sakkie Kotzé describes the wine as fruity, and well-balanced with ripe tannins. It is full-bodied with a long lasting aftertaste.

variety : Merlot [ 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon ]

winery : Le Bonheur Estate

winemaker : Sakkie Kotzé

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 12.12 % vol rs : 3.1 g/l pH : 3.42 ta : 5.9 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full taste : Fruity wooded

pack : Bottle closure : Cork

in the vineyard : Le Bonheur Wine Estate, situated on the northern slopes of Klapmutskop - about 13 km from the town of Stellenbosch - was founded by a member of the De Villiers family in the 1790's.

The vineyards
The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.

The Merlot vines were planted from 1977 to 1987 at an altitude of 220 metres above sea level.

The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards were planted from 1973 to 1986 at 200 to 350 metres above sea level.

The climate
The rainfall during the winter was lower than the average, followed by a dry growing and ripening season. Harvesting time was very dry and warm.

about the harvest: The Merlot grapes were picked at 22,5 to 23,5° Balling from 13 to 27 March. The yield was 4 tons per hectare.

in the cellar : The juice fermented on the skins and was withdrawn 7 days after fermentation was completed. The juice fermented at 25° to 30°C. After malolactic fermentation the wine was wood matured for 18 months – 40 percent in new wood and 60 percent in second-fill casks.

The wine was blended after wood maturation and the blend consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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