3 Liter Cape Fynbos Merlot
The Cape Fynbos series of wines is a tribute to the beauty and diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Nestled at the very foot of Africa the vineyards of the Western Cape are cultivated adjacent to the indigenous fynbos as both thrive in the Mediterranean climate offered by its unique terroir.
The name Merlot (from the Old French word “merle”) means little blackbird and alludes to the dark blue colour the grape shares with “Turdus merula”, the Eurasian and African songbird.
G R A P E V A R I E T A L
100% Merlot
O R I G I N
The grapes are harvested from mature trellised vines in the Bottelary Hills and Stellenbosch appellations. Somewhat better winter rains came as a welcome respite from three consecutive dry years, resulting in good bunch set and improved yields with excellent grape quality.
V I N I F I C A T I O N
Hand harvested during late February and early March with sugars ranging from 23.8 to - 24.4 degrees Balling. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and cold soaked for five days before spontaneous fermentation was initiated at 23.5˚C. After a number of pump-overs the must underwent malolactic fermanation to produce the softer, gentler tannins evident in the wine.
