Parel Vallei Merlot

Grilled flat iron steak with blue cheese butter.

Proprietor of Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Johann Rupert, has taken a personal interest in this parcel of fruit – since it is literally planted in his backyard. A small block of Merlot, planted at high density in residential Somerset-West, produces this uniquely perfumed wine. Deep clay soils and strict canopy management of these vertically trellised vines gives us consistency of character. 2017 was a slightly higher yielding vintage than the previous year. Following a dry growing season, berries were smaller which resulted in deeper colour and higher flavour concentration. The cool weather during the harvest promises some exceptional wines.

It was finally aged in the same new French oak barrels for 24 months and then bottle-aged for 24 months.

The grapes were hand-sorted, and fermented in 225 L new French oak barrels. After fermentation, extended skin contact was allowed for a further 10 days before pressing the wine, making the total number of days on the skins about 45 days. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in the same barrels.

This is a range created in recognition of the Cape of Good Hope’s vinous heritage which stretches back more than 350 years when the first Governor of the Cape planted grapes. These unique wines are the result of irreplaceable parcels of old vines and site specific terroirs. The labels reflect the grape variety as well as the origin and singular characters behind them.