Zevenwacht Merlot 2004
South African Wine Information Centre
Bubbly
 


» Zevenwacht Wine Estate   +27.219005700     www.zevenwacht.co.za     info@zevenwacht.co.za
latest
 
Zevenwacht Merlot 2004

contact us
  Zevenwacht Wine Estate
Phone +27.219005700
Fax +27.219033373
eMail info@zevenwacht.co.za
URL www.zevenwacht.co.za
Address P.O. Box 387
Kuils River
7579
South Africa

join us on facebook
 
our wines » Zevenwacht Merlot 2004

technical analysis
Main Variety :  Merlot
Alcohol :  14.0  %vol
pH :  3.58
RS :  2.3 g/l
Total Acid :  6.0 g/l
Appellation :  Coastal
characteristics
Type :  Red
Style :  Dry
Body :  Full
Taste :  Fragrant
WOODED

 
accolades
Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show 2004 - Silver
 
tasting notes
John Platter - 4 stars
A spicy wine, indicative of the 2004 vintage conditions, that is both complex and generous. The intermingling of the three vineyard sites is apparent, with chocolate and ripe plum and cherry flavours in evidence, complemented by toasty oak and cedar wood aromatics. These barrel promoted flavours will integrate over the next six months and increase the complexity of the wine, both on palate and nose. This is a wine to take pleasure in now but will reward the patient with richness and the development of a silky-soft tannin structure. Charlie’s first ride in the factory – anticipation, admiration all coated with the best ever chocolate.
 
blend information
100% Merlot
 
in the vineyard
Three distinctive sites were sourced in the Stellenbosch District for this wine. The first site, on the cool slopes of Helshoogte, provides bright and juicy fruit with good acidity. The second, on the lower southern slopes of Kuils River hills, imparts tannic weight and absolute fruit density on the palate.

The western slopes of Die Eike (Bottelary Hills) offer Ribena ripeness and generosity on the finish. Although soil types differ between the sites, they all have some form of decomposed granite (some shale inclusions in the Die Eike vineyard) lying over a structured clay subsoil allowing for ample drainage and water retention when required. Supplementary irrigation is normally not required, but over the last few years the dryer climate has meant that the Die Eike site is irrigated once before harvest.
 
about the harvest
2002 manifested itself with a cool summer following the third consecutive parched winter, resulting in very few problems with disease. The grapes ripened quickly with rapidly accumulating sugar levels. Picked between 24 and 26.5ºBrix.
 
in the cellar
The grapes were destalked and gently crushed into 15 ton stainless steel fermentors. Fermentation temperature was kept cool at approximately 28ºCelsius and four pump overs were given during a 24 hour cycle. Fermentation took seven days. The wine was pressed off, including all the press fractions, to holding tanks where natural malolactic fermentation took place. On completion the wine was racked to 60% new French oak and 40% second fill French oak hogsheads (300l), where it lay quietly developing for 13 months.
 
  
 
members wine ratings
ratings
0
5 star rating: no rating yet
20 point rating: no rating yet

NOTE | It can take up to 24 hours for your rating to reflect against this wines average ratings


other vintages

Zevenwacht Merlot 2010 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2009 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2008 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2007 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2006 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2005 Jacques Viljoen Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2004 Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2002 Karl Lambour Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 2001 Karl Lambour Merlot
Zevenwacht Merlot 1999 Hilko Hegewisch Merlot