Elgin Merlot

Beef, Lamb, Veal

The grapes are picked from a small 3 hectare vineyard. The vineyard is divided up into 5 different parcels each with its own respective clone and these are all picked together for a 5 way clonal co-ferment. The bunches are chilled to 3ºC before being sorted on a conveyor and destemmed. Berries are hand sorted, before cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days at 8ºC. The 5 way clonal ferment is inoculated with a commercial winemaking yeast. Fermentation temperatures vary between 26 - 30ºC. After pressing, the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in old 4 to 5 year old French oak barriques for 9 months.

Shannon Vineyards is an Elgin producer focused on cool-climate wines shaped by careful viticulture and site expression. Known especially for Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc, Shannon produces precise South African wines that reflect the freshness and restraint of the Elgin Valley.