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MONT FLEUR VINEYARD
The best barrels of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
were chosen from wines produced from our magnificent vineyard
site high up on the eastern slopes of the Helderberg mountain.
The soil is a deep red decomposed granite – Hutton type.
The vines are close planted (5000 vines / hect.)
Cabernet Franc 33%
8 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clone CF1 on 101-14
rootstock.
Merlot 33%
8 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clone MO181 on
R99 rootstock
Cabernet Sauvignon 33%
8 yr old vines on 7 wire vertical trellis. Clones CS337 and
CS359 on 101-14 rootstock
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
No irrigation necessary. The growing season was particularly
difficult, with early season mildew problems. A lot of rain
fell during veraison which did not adversely affect the crop.
The grapes ripened slowly in good weather producing soft well-balanced
wines.
Harvest date: 23 / 2 / 02 - 1 / 3 / 02
PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. 100% destemming and gentle
crushing directly into open top fermenters. Spontaneous natural
yeast fermentation @ max. temp. 31°C. Time on skins 10
- 14 days, with cap of skins punched down (pigeage) 1 –
4 times a day. Wine drained directly to barrels together with
single pressing from traditional basket press.
All our red wines undergo malolactic fermentation in the barrel.
This helps to integrate the new oak and fix colour and flavour
compounds. Mostly new French oak used. Time in barrel 18 months,
which included several rackings to gradually clarify the wine
and assist maturation.
This wine was bottled by hand, unfined or unfiltered, on the
property. Bottling date: 5 / 9 / 03.
Production : 140 x 6 bottle cases
TASTING NOTES
This wine has deep foundations, a tannic structure and alcoholic
proportions. A big, bright façade, a dark, mysterious
interior and a sumptuous finish. Probably best between 2005
and 2015. Ideal with a rich, juicy steak.
ANALYSIS
Alc. 15.3 SG. 1.8 TA 5.4
pH 3.59 VA 0.56 SO2 17 & 54
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