Oldenburg Merlot 2019

This Merlot illustrates site-specific characteristics, found only at Oldenburg Vineyards. The cooler valley helps to retain the fresh floralness and fruit of this delicious wine. In the glass, a ruby core suggests flavours of red fruit, which are indeed found on the nose, in the form of sour red cherries, red plums and cranberries. A savoury element of sundried tomatoes, rosemary, lavender and cinnamon adds a complexity to the otherwise fruit-forward wine. On the palate, a racy acidity carries the fruit, whilst the structured fine-grained tannin rounds off a stunning mouth-feel. A beautiful wine, which will hold up incredibly well over the next 8 – 10 years.

Grapes were hand-picked in small lug boxes and stored in a cool room overnight. The grapes were destemmed whole berry and meticulously sorted by hand on a sorting table, after which they were cold-soaked for 5 days. 1- 3 punch-downs were performed per day, and the wine was racked twice during fermentation. Wines were matured for 18 months in 225L and 300L French oak barrels, of which 17% was new oak.

Oldenburg Vineyards believes that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of the mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through its range of single-cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine the unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines are made in an uncompromising manner, intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.