Du Toitskloof Dimension 2012

2015 Michelangelo Wine Awards - Gold Medal

All the grapes for this blend came from within 5 km of the Du Toitskloof cellar. The vines, grafted onto Richter 99 and 101-14 rootstocks, grow in slightly rocky, sandy soils. Based on soil moisture levels, as measured by neutron hydrometers in the vineyards, controlled irrigation was applied. This practice ensures small berries with an excellent skin to fruit ratio, providing an intense colour and flavour spectrum. Leaf canopies were carefully managed to ensure the berries received adequate sunlight.

Only the finest hand-picked grapes were selected for this memorable wine. The grapes were picked when they reached optimum physiological ripeness at 25° to 26° Balling.

The grapes of all four main cultivars were vinified in more or less the same way. They were crushed at 25° to 26° Balling and pumped to rotor tanks for 3 days of cold soaking at 10°C to 15°C. This practice allows maximum extraction of colour and flavour. Selected yeast strains were added and fermentation allowed to take place at a controlled temperature of 24° C while the rotor tanks were turned every four to six hours to increase extraction. After the primary fermentation lasting six to seven days, the wine was racked and the skins pressed. Some of the pressed wine was blended back to provide additional depth. After malolactic fermentation the wine was aged for 25 months in French oak barrels from different cooperages before the final blending.