| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Merlot | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2005 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch, Devon Valley Stellenbosch, Helderberg | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 900 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS & HARVEST
Equally split between 4 parcels, two on the Helderberg Mountain, overlooking False Bay, the others in Devon Valley, on elevated, steep West and South West-facing slopes. Both in immediate maritime areas. The soils consist of variations of decomposed granites. The youngest parcel is 10 years old, the oldest almost 20.
2005 was a hot and dry summer. Good canopy management was important to ensure that the grapes did not suffer from sunburn or raisining, whilst retaining natural acidity and keeping sugars from spiraling.
VINIFICATION
All hand-picked grapes. Hand triage over sorting table. De-stemmed then pre-fermentation cold-soak. Pump-over once a day, as for cap-punching. We strive, however, to preserve the fruit rather than to over-extract and throw out the natural balance of the wine. Left on skins for 1 week after fermentation before racking into barrels. Micro-oxygenation carried-out in barrel to develop suppleness of tannins, deeper colour and greater fruit intensity. Malolactic fermentation in barrel. Drainings (i.e. not pressed juice per se) kept separate to free run, pressings not utilised. All matured for 18 months before racking out and assembling. Egg white fined, settled for a month before bottling without filtration.
BARRELS
95 % French, 5% American. Mix of 300 liter and 225. French mainly Allier and Nevers medium + toasting. New, second and 3rd fill barrels. American barrels : Northern Oak, new, second and 3rd fill. We dislike the overt presence of oak over-powering the natural identity of our wine, which is reflected by the total integration of the oak in the palate of the wine.
WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
In a land where this varietal often plays second or third fiddle, we’ve unashamedly made this pure Merlot in an intense, deep and yet spontaneous style. Ripe, juicy blueberry flavours firmly but ripely connected in a web of subtle tannins, finishing with a bright mineral ring. Eager yet restrained. Proof that good Merlot has a home in the Cape.