in the cellar : Vineyard notes:
The Merlot grapes were grown on "Die Eike" situated in the famous Bottelary red grape growing belt. The warm days and cool nights produce excellent flavours and intense colour. The top soil is loamy gravel and one meter deep is a clay layer. The marginal soil ensures that the vine growth is not too vigorous and produces outstanding grapes.
Vinification:
The Merlot grapes were picked at the end of February, fermented in a traditional static fermentor. The juice was pumped over twice daily for one hour at a time. The skins were kept on the juice for ten days and then pressed. After malolactic fermentation in a stainless steel tank 30% of the wine was matured in barrels for 11 months.