M·A·N Family Wines Merlot 2012

Jan Fiskaal Merlot
The Jan Fiskaal (fiscal shrike) is a common sight in our vineyards. A small bird with a fierce reputation for driving out pests, its characteristic “chee-chee-chee” cry and black-and-white colouring make it easily recognisable.

An elegant, classic style of Merlot with distinctive plum flavours and soft tannins. Dark ruby-red in colour with aromas of plum and cherry-tobacco spices, complemented by savoury and earthy notes typical of Merlot. On the palate, the wine is soft with gentle tannins and hints of dark chocolate and black cherry. The finish is long and lingering.

This medium-bodied wine will be wonderful just by itself or paired with roast chicken, lamb stew, lasagne and barbeques. Serve at a cool room temperature.

variety : Merlot [ Merlot 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15% ]

winery : MAN Family Wines

winemaker : Francois Bezuidenhout

wine of origin : Coastal Region

analysis : alc : 14.0 % vol rs : 3.90 g/l pH : 3.47 ta : 5.8 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Medium taste : Fragrant wooded

pack : Bottle size : 0 closure : Screwcap

in the vineyard : The 2012 vintage was a good vintage for both red and white wines in the Agter-Paarl region. Temperatures were warmer earlier in the season, but cooled off towards the end allowing for slower and more balanced ripening, and resulting in moderate alcohol levels as well as good colour and concentration. Cool morning and afternoon breezes throughout summer helped to keep the ripening process smooth and steady.

The grapes were selected vineyards in Agter-Paarl and one smaller vineyard in Stellenbosch. Mostly unirrigated vineyards producing naturally low-yields with small berries

in the cellar : The grapes were crushed and de-stemmed then fermented over 7 days in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs. The wine was pressed and put back into tank for malo-lactic fermentation. 15% of the wine was matured in 2nd and 3rd fill 225L American oak barrels for 15 months. We blended in 10% Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and body. Fined and filtered before bottling.

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M·A·N Family Wines Merlot 2012

Merlot

Francois Bezuidenhout