variety : Merlot [ 100% Merlot ]
winemaker : Dirk van Zyl
wine of origin : Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 14.5 % vol rs : 3 g/l pH : 3.56 ta : 5.2 g/l
type : Red style : Dry body : Medium taste : Fruity wooded
pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Screwcap
in the vineyard : An exceptionally warm and dry spring resulted in good and even bud burst. The temperatures during the flowering and berry set period were average, with significantly less fluctuations than in the previous years.
Good rainfall measured at around 100 mm towards the end of October was crucial to replenish the dry soil profiles and led to stress -free flowering and berry set.
The moderate elements during the growing season as well as the seasonal rainfall at the start of the 2020 harvest, laid the foundation for a good harvest. Effective canopies promoted ripening in the early varietals, showing good acidity and sugar levels and harvested earlier than usual.
Sustained, moderate temperatures occurred until the end of March and resulted in effective plant functioning and full maturity in late varietals, leading to great concentrations, structure, and desired alcohol levels. The early cultivars were therefore harvested much earlier.