Rustenberg Stellenbosch Merlot 2010

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded.


variety : Merlot [ 100% Merlot ]
winery : Rustenberg Wines
winemaker : Randolph Christians
wine of origin : Simonsberg Mountain, Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol  rs : 1.3 g/l  pH : 3.51  ta : 6.4 g/l  
type : Red  style : Dry  
pack : Bottle  closure : Cork  

ageing : This wine can be enjoyed now or will benefit from maturation in ideal cellar conditions.
Maturation potential: 8 - 10 years from vintage

in the vineyard : Vintage comment
A cold, wet winter in 2009 allowed for the lovely, even budding of the vineyards during spring, and the warm, sunny days that followed in summer resulted in great flavour and colour development in the berries. Full fruit flavours and soft tannins, together with good aromatics and ideal acidity, made 2010 an excellent vintage.

Cultivar: Merlot
Situation: Simonsberg Mountain, Stellenbosch
Altitude: 290m - 310m
Distance from the sea: ± 25km
Soil Type: Tukulu
Root Stock: R110, 101-14
Age of Vines: 12 - 15 Years
Trellising: Vertically shoot-positioned
Pruning: 2-bud Spur-pruning
Irrigation: Regulated deficit irrigation via pressure compensated drippers

in the cellar : Oak used: 55% new and 45% 2nd-fill 225 litre French oak barrels for 18 months
Main Yeasts used: Zymaflore (FX10)
Harvested: 23 February - 5 March 2010
Grape Analysis: Acidity: 5.9g/l | pH: 3.39| Sugar: 25.4° Balling
Yield: 7 - 9 tons / Ha
Bottled: October 2011

Barcodes:
6 00 2251 100 410 (750ml bottle; local)
66 918 0000 691 (750ml bottle; USA)
2 600 2251 106 072 (6x750ml case; local)
66 918 0000 707 (12x750ml case)

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Merlot