Description
The Aspect is from a vineyard at the top of the estate and the name refers
to the direction the slope faces. Merlot has been a focus of the estate since
the first wines were made.
Vineyards:
Made from our estates highest and steepest vineyards. The south westerly ASPECT
ensures the vineyards are exposed to the prevailing summer breezes off the sea
which cool the vineyards down in the afternoons and evenings. This in turn gives
the grapes more time to ripen. This block is planted on a band of Malmesbury
shale that runs through the farms top 3 vineyards. This shale is the oldest soil type
in South Africa and one of the oldest in the world. Due to leaching of the soils over
millennia they are not very fertile and therefor limit the vigour of the vines and
increase resulting quality of the grapes. The vineyards yield between 5 and 6 tons
per hectare and were planted in 1998.
Cellar:
The grapes are hand harvested and sorted twice in the cellar, as bunches and as
berries.
Fermentation then occurs spontaneously in 7000 liter French oak tanks, followed
by a post fermentation maceration on the skins of 30 days.
Maturation then takes place in 225 liter French oak barriques for 24 months. 30%
new oak is used with the remainder made up of second and third fill barriques
Tasting notes and analysis:
Colour: Deep Ruby
Nose: Black currents, sour cherries, black olive, violets, fresh fenel and cigar box.
Palate: Ripe red and black fruit on entry. Notes of dried herbs and a bright acidity
bring freshness with pleasantly dry tannins leading into a long finish.
Mature for 10 years plus if you can cellar it alternatively drink it now with cheeses
or full flavoured dishes.
14.5% Alc.; 2.0 g/l R.S.; 5.6 g/L TA; 0.75 g/L VA; 36 mg/L FSO2, 94 mg/L
TSO2.
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