in the cellar : In 1998, good, healthy fruit was picked at optimum ripeness - determined by aroma assessment (ie. maximum fruit intensity). The wine was fermented between 20 & 25 degrees C with 20% whole berries of which 40% were presoaked for 4 days.
Oak Maturation: In tight grain oak barrels from the centre of France for 12 months.
Tasting Notes:
The colour of the wine is a brilliant deep red. The aroma shows hints of cedarwood and vanilla with attractive berry fruit. On the palate the wine is rich and full with soft tannins and good acidity. The wine has a long finish but is drinkable at present. It will however mature for up to six years from vintage.
Previous Awards:
- Our first Merlot was produced in 1989 and since then we
have been awarded 3 Veritas Double Gold Awards (89, 90,
91) plus we have had two vintages selected for SAA
Business Class Wine of the Month and First Class. It was
also the SA Champion Young Red Wine in 1990 and a gold
medal winner on the 1997 Young Wine Show.
- 1996 - Veritas Gold
- 1997 - Gold at International WINE challenge (London 99)