Fleur de Cap Merlot 2005

This wine displays intense ripe black cherries, raspberries and mocha with hints of vanilla and cumin spices on the nose. Attractive berry and delicate oak flavours fill the mouth and are beautifully rounded. A fruity entry, with soft tannins and a crisp acidity.

The Fleur du Cap country estate is situated along the banks of the Lourens River near the town of Somerset West. It is here that the Distell has its own rootstock mother plantation, with over 11,000 rootstock vines. The prevalent Mediterranean climate ensures adequate rainfall, while the soils provide an ideal growth medium. The vineyards are closely monitored with regard to viticultural practices such as topping, trellising, pruning, pest and disease control. Even the yields are controlled to ensure optimum quality. These high quality yields are vinified at The Distell’s winery in Stellenbosch, one of the most technologically advanced in the Southern hemisphere. Here, Fleur du Cap’s wines are made, blended and bottled with the utmost care, using state-of-the-art winemaking techniques, under careful supervision of Cellar Master, Callie van Niekerk. The Distell’s commitment to quality, from the mother plantation to the vineyard, through the cellar and into the bottle, ensures that Fleur du Cap wines continue to garner national and international awards, year after year.

Characteristics:

Soil: Various, sandy, chalk-loam to gravel, granite and Table Mountain sandstone.

Cépage: 100% Merlot

Vinification: The grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks for 8 days.

Maturation: 30% in small new casks of French oak for a period of 12 months and 70% in second-fill barriques for 12 months.

Food Match: A perfect complement to hearty casseroles, rare beef or even ham and chicken dishes.