Fairview Merlot

VINTAGE: 1994

DESCRIPTION: Dark garnet in color. Berry and damson flavors. Classic structure with grip and balance. Bouquet: Damsons, blueberries, pencil lead and cedar.

YIELD: Yields are kept to about 7.5 tons/ha.

CLIMATE: Mediterranean - dry warm summers and cold wet winters with an annual rainfall of about 700 mm.

SOIL: The grapes are grown on various soils from decomposed granite to sand on a clay base.

VINIFICATION: Grapes were harvested at about 24 balling and destalked, but not crushed, before being fermented. Grapes were pressed before fermentation was complete and immediately transferred to 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. The wine received a post fermentation racking followed by egg fining. The wine spent 12 months in the barrel before bottling.

Winemakers Tasting Notes: During the production of Merlot, full emphasis is placed on the extraction of the aromatic and opulent potential of the varietal, whilst at the same time referencing the classical qualities of the grape.

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS:

Alcohol: 13%

pH: 3.44

Total Acidity: 5.5 g/l

Sugar: 2.3 g/l