Nederburg 56Hundred Merlot 2015

THE RANGE 56HUNDRED or 5 600 guilders was the price founder, Philippus Wolvaart paid in 1791 for the farm in Paarl he was to call Nederburg. Bright, fresh, succulent, soft and smooth-drinking, these premium wines are a tribute to him. He had the vision to recognise the wine-growing potential of his land and the optimism to clear an untamed property and establish a flourishing farm that continues to thrive today, more than two centuries later.

The grapes were sourced from bush and trellised vineyards in the Paarl, Darling and Stellenbosch areas. Planted between 1990 and 1998, the vines are grown in decomposed granite soils on south-westerly facing slopes 50m to 150m above sea level. The vines, grafted onto nematode-resistant rootstock Richter 99 and R110, are grown under dryland conditions and receive supplementary irrigation by means of an overhead sprinkler system.

The grapes were harvested by hand and machine at 23º to 25º Balling during February and March.

The fruit was crushed and cool-fermented on the skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 25ºC to 28ºC for 10 to 14 days. The wine was matured in contact with French and American oak for four months.

CELLARMASTER Andrea Freeborough