Wine Meerlust, Merlot, Stellenbosch WO, 2017

Meerlust, Merlot – juicy dry red wine, the creation of winemaker Chris Williams, made from Merlot grapes with a small interspersing of other permitted red grapes that are grown in the company’s vineyards in the Stellenbosch region. In 2015 , 8% Cabernet Franc was added to the blend for structure and acidity and 7% Petit Verdot, which give the wine a floral aroma and smooth, polished tannins. The average age of the vines reaches 25 years. The soils are predominantly clayey, such as Oakleaf, Vilafonte and Klapmuts, well-drained. In 2015, 40% of the grapes were cut according to the green harvesting method one month before the main harvest, so the remaining 60% of the berries received the proper concentration and the possibility of uniform ripening. 3 weeks before harvesting, the leaves around the bunches were removed to ensure the physiological maturity of the berries. Harvested by hand and carefully sorted before crushing. Fermentation took place at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks with daily repairs. Part of the wort was subjected to prolonged maceration on the skin for 3 weeks before pressing. Malolactic fermentation took place in 300-liter French oak barrels. The wine is aged in barrels from Never forests, 50% of which are new, for 16 months before bottling. The potential of wine is 12 years.

Vintage 2015 was awarded a silver medal in 2017 and a gold medal in 2018 at the competition “International Wine & Spirit Competition”.