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MONT FLEUR VINEYARD
This blended wine best reflects our magnificent vineyard site
high up on the eastern slopes of the Helderberg mountain.
Soil deep red Hutton type. The core of the 1997 is based on
an exceptional batch of Merlot (50%)
with Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) and Cabernet
Franc (24%).
Merlot - 9 yr old vines on 4 wire vertical trellis. Clone
MO192 on R99 rootstock.
Cabernet Sauvignon - 4 yr old vines on 5 wire vertical trellis.
Various virus free clones on 101-14 rootstock.
Cabernet Franc - 4 yr old vines on 5 wire vertical trellis.
Clone CF1D on 101-14 rootstock.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
A very difficult vintage with a lot of rain during the initial
growing period. The ripening period , however was ideal with
record low temperatures and almost no rain. We had amazing
quality grapes to work with and hopefully time will express
the full potential of this vintage.
Harvest date : 14 / 3 /97 & 3 / 4 / 97
PRODUCTION
Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes.
100% desteming and gentle crushing directly into open top
fermenters. Spontaneous natural yeast
fermentation @ max. temp. 34°C for the Merlot and 32°C
for both Cabernets. Time on skins 10 days for Merlot and 14
days for Cabernets, 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 wine 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 20 months, which included several rackings
to gradually clarify the wine and assist maturation.
The wine was lightly fined with fresh egg whites before bottling
unfiltered by hand on the property.
Bottling date : 4 / 12 / 98.
Production : 295 magnums only.
TASTING NOTES
Impressive deep red colour. Lush blackberry, plum aromas spiced
with a little cinnamon. Dense tannins and well integrated
oak. Complex with long, nicely dry finish. Probably best between
2001 and 2010. Ideal with rich, but finely flavoured red meat
dishes.
ANALYSIS
Alc. 14.24 SG. 2.2 TA 5.8
pH 3.76 VA 0.71 SO2 25 & 40
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