45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Vineyards producing the grapes for John X Merriman climb the rich red slopes of the Simonsberg. Vines are 8-18 years old and drip irrigated. All grapes were hand-harvested in the early mornings in Feb and March 2006 with a yield of 8 tons/ha, and all vineyard blocks vinified separately, then blended for added complexity. Fermented at 26°C to ensure maximum extraction after extended maceration on skins. The wine was drained and gravity-filled to barrels for malolactic fermentation. The separate batches were blended after 9 months and returned to barrel for further 12 months maturation in 50% new and 50% 2nd and 3rd fill 225l French oak casks. Bottled June 2008. Winemaker Adi Badenhorst.
Beautiful Cabernet aroma – minty, green pepper – very inviting. Very NW cabernet. Might have put it in Australia – Minty and lovely. They seem to have tamed the alcohol – phew!
Alc 14.3%, TA 5.92g/l, pH 3.5, RS 2.23g/l. Available from Wine Direct and 191 branches.
15/10/2008