SOUTH AFRICA
de Trafford Merlot
2008 Merlot
Viticulture
Vineyard: |
1st block on low lying Helderberg mountain site, 2nd block ‘Mont Fleur’ vineyard – high altitude mountain slope and 3rd block “Keermont” vineyard – high altitude mountain slope. |
Soil Type: |
Poor gravelly clay soil, deep red Hutton and deep gravelly Hutton. |
Vine Age: |
14 to 20 years old. |
Irrigation: |
No irrigation |
Harvest Date: |
from 15 February to 25 March 2008. |
Yield: |
29 to 45 hl/ha. |
Vinification:
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
Slightly above average winter rain was followed by a hot dry spring and trouble free growing season. A little rain delayed the harvest slightly with warmer nights reducing acidity. Similar to 2007, but a little softer and less intense.
PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. Destemming and gentle crushing directly into small 2 ton open top fermentation tanks. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation at maximum 30°Centigrade, with the cap of skins punched down manually 1-3 times a day for 10 to 14 days. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from traditional basket press.
Malolactic fermentation in barrels; 35% new French oak was used from high-quality coopers. 18 months in barrels, which included several rackings to gradually clarify the wine and assist maturation.
The wine was bottled unfiltered by hand on the property.
Tasting Notes:
Color: |
Attractive bright red colour. |
Nose: |
Pure red berry and cherry fruit with intriguing dusty spearmint, nuts and spices. |
Palate: |
These flavors follow through on the palate with lovely fine, dry tannins and a soft, long finish. |
Other: |
Ideal with baked pasta (such as cannelloni) and various light red meat dishes such as veal and pork. |
Chemical Analysis:
Alc (%): |
15.18 |
RS (g/l): |
1.6 |
TA (g/l): |
5.2 |
pH: |
3.78 |