We're excited to announce the release of our renowned Rosendal Merlot 2017, available now via our call center; and online from next week.
A bouquet of fragrant black cherry, dried herbs and cinnamon spice attracts the nose and prepares the palate for a fruit laden entry of plush plums and brooding mulberry deliciousness. The wine is medium-bodied with juicy tannins and a soft dry finish.
This Merlot is well suited for a variety of dishes. Try pairing with Penne Arrabiata, Mediterranean Lamb Burgers or Grilled Beef Fillet with a Bearnaise sauce.
Harvest:
The start of the 2017 ripening season was a bit sluggish. Although drought was a big concern, crop levels were higher than those harvested in 2016. This season will be remembered for cooler nights and warmer, drier days. This in turn lead to healthier, smaller berries with great concentration and color. Grape analysis look very promising and, this year, has produced wines of exceptional quality.
Vineyard:
The grapes were sourced from a property on the outskirts of Paarl along the foothills of the majestic Simonsberg Mountain. The temperate Mediterranean climate is excellent for growing quality grapes and the farm receives plenty of sweet natural water that runs down the slopes of the mountain. All of the vines are trellised and planted on a variety of slopes and soils ranging from decomposed granite to sand soil.
Winemaking:
The grapes were picked cold in the early mornings between 23˚ and 24 º Balling sugar ripeness. The bunches were de-stemmed, gently crushed and went into tanks for cold maceration fora duration of 48 hours. Fermentation in open top tanks on the skins peaked between 30˚ and 32 º Celsius and lasted from 7 to 10 days. Flavor and color extraction was obtained by regular punch downs. The wine was left on the skins for 21 days to further soften and integrate the tannins. After pressing the wine was pumped into 225L French Oak barrels where malolactic fermentation took place. A mix of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels were used and the wine was aged for 16 months.
Varieties:
100% Merlot
Analysis:
Alc. 13.5%, RS 2.75g/l, TA 5.67g/l, pH 3.61