Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5%
Residual Sugar 3.2 g/L
pH 3.51
Total Acidity 6.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Merlot
Merlot100%
Region Western Cape
Soil Oakleaf- decomposed granite
Harvest Dates February 11, 2020
Fermentation Vessels Wooden Fermenter
Maceration 5 days
Oak Details 50% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak50%
Oak Types French
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details The 2020 Merlot harvest in Franschhoek brought a renewed sense of optimism. After the prolonged drought years, increased rainfall provided much-needed relief to the vineyards, leading to improved vine health and larger yields compared to 2019. Moderate temperatures during the ripening period allowed for slow, even maturation, preserving fresh aromatics and depth of flavour. The resulting wines show excellent balance, with ripe tannins, refined structure, and a vibrant fruit profile. With its richness and complexity, the 2020 vintage stands out as one of the most promising years for Merlot in South Africa. Our 2020 Merlot grapes were carefully hand-picked and placed into small lug boxes before being transported to the cellar in refrigerated trucks to preserve their freshness. Upon arrival, the whole berries go through a thorough double-sorting process, including optical sorting, and are gently gravity-fed into wooden fermenters. Each parcel undergoes a cold soak for a few days before gradually being warmed for a natural fermentation to take place. After fermentation, the wine is left on the skins for an extended 5-day maceration period to extract even more depth and colour. The wine is then matured for 24 months in 50% new French oak barriques, bottled unfiltered, and aged in the bottle for an additional three years. The grapes for this Merlot are all sourced primarily from our Franschhoek vineyards and selected vineyards from Groenekloof in Darling. Only 12 barriques were produced for the 2020 vintage.
Tasting Notes
Nose: bold spicy plum pudding, black cherry, dark chocolate
Palate: rounded, plush, lissom, vibrant spicy edge, rich plum, dark fruit, deep cocoa powder, chocolate flavour