Meerlust Merlot Stellenbosch 2020

Description

Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the dedication to quality winemaking continues under the guidance of 8th generation, Hannes Myburgh. Cellar Master, Chris Williams, who has worked on the estate since 1995 has been in charge of winemaking since 2004. The name Meerlust means 'pleasure of the sea', as the property is situated 5km from False Bay (and 15km south of Stellenbosch), with the cooling influence of the coast, allowing the grapes ripen slowly.Sourced from 4 vineyards on the Estate situated on well drained Oakleaf, Dundee and Swartland soil types which produces the rich textured mouth feel and minerality. The younger vineyards were planted in 2007 on Cartref soils giving a greater fruit expression. The vineyards are mostly south facing towards the cool Atlantic of False Bay. Crop thinning occurred at pruning and at veraison. Six separate picking stages at optimum ripeness to ensure complexity and balance.Hand picked. Partial whole bunch pressing and static settling overnight. Some solids remained in the juice. Transferred to 40% new tight grain Allier French Oak and 60% second fill 300 litre barrels for fermentation. Half of the barrels were inoculated with selected Chardonnay yeast, while the other half underwent un-i culated, spontaneous fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was given a racking to remove heavy lees and returned to barrel for malo- lactic fermentation. The wine was barrel matured for 9 months before bottling. Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the se, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pro unced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine.