Desirade

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The grape varietals were handpicked separately at phenolic ripeness and stored at 10 °C to ensure the finest flavor and freshness. Subsequent processing, fermentation and maturation was carried out separately for each varietal. Upon crushing the grapes into 70 HL French oak casks (Foudres), a temperature of 10 °C was maintained for 10 days with skins and juice in contact to ensure a sufficient cold maceration for optimum color and flavor extraction. During fermentation and maceration on the skins, the fermenting juice is daily pumped over the skins, which is also gently punched down into the juice to allow for optimum tannin and color extraction, as well as flavor development.

The Desirade is our Bordeaux blend – inspired by our savoir-faire of grapevine growing and winemaking on the river banks of the Gironde in Bordeaux, home to the grape varieties of this blend, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are essential elements required in capturing as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild to warm with southern winds, ensuring grapes are cooled to optimum temperature for maximum character and flavour. Soils are predominantly medium textured and an average annual rainfall of 800 mm ensures minimal irrigation.

This process takes about three weeks, before the wine is transferred to 40% new and 60% older French oak barrels for 16-22 months. The use of new French oak allows the wine to retain certain flavors and extract tannin from the oak. By using only 40% new oak, the fruits within each varietal are respected and allowed to combine in perfect harmony ensuring truly magnificent fruit flavor and tannin structure. Much care and attention is taken in selecting barrels containing maximum flavor and character for use in the final Bordeaux blend.