"KLEINE ZALZE" MERLOT
STELLENBOSCH - SOUTH AFRICA

Viticulture:
These grapes were cultivated and harvested from different blocks on Kleine Zalze. Southerly sea breezes in the afternoon help to cool the Merlot grapes to ensure optimum ripening conditions. The vineyards were carefully pruned and suckered to ensure that optimum ripened grapes were harvested for the production of this wine.

Vinification:
The grapes were picked early in the morning, destalked and cold soaked at 12°C for three days. The juice was fermented dry on the skins before pressing. Only 5% of the press juice was blended back into the final blend. Malolactic fermentation followed with 50% completion in the tank and 50% in French oak barrels. The components were then blended and matured in third-fill 300l French oak barrels for 12 months.

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:
A medium-bodied, soft juicy wine, with ripe plum and fruitcake aromas on the nose that carry through to the palate. These fruit flavours are complimented by a crisp, well integrated acidity and a smoky, cigar box finish, affording this wine comfortable five year maturation potential.