Wine Composition
100% Merlot
Winemakers Comments
Firm and well balanced, this Merlot is characterised by spicy, dark plum and berry flavours, whilst silky, ripe tannins ensure a long and lingering finish.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
14.5%
TA
6.1 g/l
pH
3.40
RS
2.6 g/l
Vinyeards / Vintage
Despite the drought, the dry, warm weather resulted in healthy grapes and small berries with good intensity. Warm days and below average cool nights during the ripening stage gave the colour and flavour development a positive boost. The grapes were handpicked in the early hours of the morning from the Estate’s oldest single vineyard.
Vinification
The Merlot was vinified with care and passion. Extensive sorting of the grapes formed part of the quality management process. The grapes were de-stemmed only, not crushed, to ensure gentle extraction of fruit flavours. Punch downs only and matured for 16 months in 80% new French oak barrels.
Winemaker
Name: Morne Vrey
Winery
Delaire Graff Estate is situated in Stellenbosch in the heart of South Africa’s most historic and prestigious wine region. Founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679, Simon brought a sound knowledge of viticulture, the art of wine making – fostering a tradition that has grown from strength to strength through the centuries. In 1982 John Platter, well known wine writer, bought Delaire, then known as Avontuur. Looking at the magnificent view, he decided to rename the farm Delaire Estate, meaning "From the Sky”. Laurence Graff, Chairman of Graff Diamonds International acquired the estate in 2003 and vowed to transform it into South Africa’s most desirable art, hospitality and wine destination. Today, with two outstanding restaurants, a state-of-the-art winery, exclusive Lodges, a destination Spa and two luxury boutiques, the transformation of this piece of paradise is complete.
Delaire Graff Estate’s unique terroir on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass is noted for its high-altitude vineyards, excellent soils and cooling sea breezes. Delaire Graff Estate aims for red wines that are big in structure with soft tannins and elegance, and white wines which capture the freshness of the harvest. With one of the most advanced cellars in the Southern Hemisphere, which became operational in 2008, in just three years the Estate can be comfortably rated as one of the top ten wine producers in South Africa. From the outset wine quality has been superb and Delaire has achieved a stellar rise.
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