NEETHLINGSHOF MERLOT 2005
Winemaker: De Wet Viljoen Appellation: Stellenbosch Grape Varietal: Merlot
www.neethlingshof.co.za T: +27 (0)21 883 8988 | F: +27 (0)21 883 8941
Background
The Neethlingshof estate in Stellenbosch is named after its illustrious 19th century owner, Marthinus Laurentius Neethling who served as mayor of Stellenbosch and was also a senator of the Cape. His flamboyant bearing earned him the nickname “Lord Neethling”.
Winemaker’s comments Colour: Bouquet:
Taste: Vineyard Location
Planted in 1985 the vines, which produced this wine, are grown on south-east facing slopes 220m above sea level, in Tukulu soil. The vines are grafted onto nematode-resistant Richter 99 and 110 rootstocks and are trellised on a five-wire system.
Viticulturist: Prof Eben Archer
Dark red with a scarlet hue.
The delicate fruity nose has minty undertones with a vanilla and caramel nose.
On the palate the wine is well structured with ripe soft tannins and a smooth richness.
Ageing process and potential: This wine will reach its full potential within five years.
Food pairing
This wine is an ideal companion to barbecued meat, veal, poultry, pasta and red meat dishes or on its own.
The winemaking
The grapes were harvested by hand and machine at the beginning of March at 24,5° Balling. After destalking and crushing the mash was fermented using a selected pure yeast culture in rotation tanks at 25 - 29° C. Fermentation took seven days to complete. After malolactic fermentation the wine was left on the lees, before being matured in 300l barrels consisting of a combination of new French oak and second and third-fill oak barrels for 12 months. A light egg white fining was used before bottling.
Chemical analysis Alcohol:
14.29 % by volume
Residual sugar: 3.4 g/l Total acidity: 5.36 g/l pH:
3.66
Cape Legends PO Box 184, Stellenbosch, 7599 | Tel: +27 (0)21 809-7000 | Fax: +27 (0)21 882-9575 |
www.capelegends.co.za
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