Winemaker’s Comments
Hand selected grapes from two vineyards on 155m above sea level planted during 1996 and 2000 on a heavy clay/gravel soil, facing south and west to create a wine with natural fruit from the cool south slope and complexity, colour and structure from the warmer west slope.

The grapes were harvested @ 26°B from the 3^rd till the 8^th of March 2005 with yields of 3 – 4 tons per ha. It fermented without sulphur but with selected yeast at 29°C.

Traditional punging down and pump over was done four times per day. Skin contact of three weeks commenced before pressing lightly. 30% of the wine finished the Malo Lactic fermentation in new French Oak barrels of 300 lit in size.

This wine is 100% Oak matured, only French Oak, by 30% new, 30% 2^nd fill and 40% 3^rd fill, and for 14 months at 14°C. No filtration of fining before wood maturation nor racking during this period.

Only the best barrels were blend together and after only an egg white fining only 15 000 bottles were bottled on the 1^st December 2006.

The allocation for South Africa, Namibia and Botswana is 4 800 bottles. This fine cool climate Merlot with its moderate acid will mature into a more complex and elegant wine. Decant to enjoy it now or cellar it for another 3 – 5 years.