Accolades
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2012 - Bronze
Tasting Notes
Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice. The full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety
Ageing Potential
Up to 12 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions
Blend Information
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Food Suggestions
Red meats, game and strong cheeses
In The Vineyard
Selected from 27 year old, Estate-grown Merlot plantings situated on clay-rich Oak leaf, Vilafontes and Klapmuts soil. 40% vendage vert (green harvesting cluster removal) at 60% veraison to ensure concentration and even-ripening.
About The Harvest
Grapes hand-picked & selected before crushing.
In The Cellar
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with partial un-inoculated fermentation. Daily remontage and delistage for gentle extraction. A portion of the wine was given extended maceration on the skins for four weeks before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in 300 litre French oak Hogsheads. Maturation in 65% new Nevers French oak, 35% second fill Nevers for 17 months before bottling. The Meerlust Merlot 2008 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc for structure.
