Merlot

Pair with Crispy Duck, Cassoulet, Spaghetti Puttanesca

The Stellenbosch vineyards are situated 170m above sea level and planted in “Koffieklip'' (“Coffee Stone”), as well as decomposed granite soil with a clay layer 1m deep in an east-west row direction.

The wine was matured for 16 months in 300l custom made Burgundian oak barrels – 20% new oak and 80% 2nd and 3rd fill.

The grapes were hand-picked in small crates and cooled down in a pre-cooler to 1˚C. Berry sorting into the cellar. The grapes were not crushed, only destemmed after which it was cold soaked for up to 15 days. Long and slow fermentation was maintained with minimal punch downs. Malolactic fermentation occurred in the barrel.

Situated in the “Golden Triangle” of wine growing Eikendal vineyards flourish in a mountain and maritime microclimate ideal for the production of quality wine. Since 1981 the 76 hectare wine farm has been under the ownership of the Saager family from Zurich Switzerland. The Swiss owners recognised the great potential of the area and wasted no time in modernising the existing vineyards and establishing the cellar.