| WINE | Radford Dale | ||||||||
| VARIETAL | Merlot | ||||||||
| VINTAGE | 2009 | ||||||||
| APPELLATION | Stellenbosch, Devon Valley Stellenbosch, Helderberg | ||||||||
| ANALYSIS |
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| PRODUCTION | 1200 (12 x 750ml.) cases |
VINEYARDS & HARVEST
Equally split between 2 vineyards, one on the Helderberg Mountain, overlooking False Bay, the other 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 12 years old, the oldest 20.
2009 was a really lovely vintage, seemingly all over the planet. In Stellenbosch, it was a less hot than many and even a cooler vintage. This led to a longer, more even ripening period and extended maturation of the berries, skins & pips. In a hot climate, these are great advantages. We also had the benefit of excellent winter and Spring rains. Yields were naturally quite restrained, bunch sizes small; fruit quality was superb. It was one of those vintages where nature deserves all the credit.
VINIFICATION
All hand-picked grapes. Hand triage over sorting table. De-stemmed then pre-fermentation cold-soaked. Natural yeast fermented in open-top 600L oak barrels. Cap-punching generally once a day. 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 225L barrels, by gravity, into the underground cellar. 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 14 months before racking out and assembling. Egg white fined, settled for a month before bottling without filtration.
BARRELS
95 % French, 5% American. French mainly Allier and Nevers. New, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels, with the new ones accounting for about ΒΌ of the total only. American barrels : Northern Oak, new, 2nd 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.