Colour: Dark Ruby.
Bouquet: A combination of raspberry, prunes and spices with delicate undertones of vanilla oak.
Taste: Fruity with berries, dried fruit and spices with slight tannins and a pleasant, lingering aftertaste.
Savour on its own or with red meat, pasta or pizza dishes.
variety : Merlot [ 87% Merlot, 13% Malbec ]
winemaker : Estelle Lourens
wine of origin : Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 14.02 % vol rs : 5.20 g/l pH : 3.45 ta : 5.60 g/l
type : Red style : Dry taste : Fruity wooded
pack : Bottle closure : Screwcap
in the vineyard : Background
The Flat Roof Manor screwcap range derives its name from the 18th century townhouse at the winery, where winemaker Estelle Lourens is based. One of just three two-storied neoclassical houses in this style at the Cape, it is thought to have been designed by the eminent architect Michel Thibault. It was completed in 1788.
The label depicts the detailing of the flat-topped roof and features a cat that, according to local legend, stayed long after the original owners had moved on, to lap up the sun on the parapet. Uitkyk Estate comprises 600ha with 140ha under vines. Cultivars planted on the estate include Chardonnay, Sémillon, Chenin blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage, Sangiovese, Mourvédre, Petit Verdot and Pinot noir. During the 2012 vintage 930 tons were harvested.
Vineyards
Grapes were sourced from two vineyards in the acclaimed Stellenbosch region, situated some 250 to 300 m above sea level. Trellised on a seven-wire system, the vines received supplementary irrigation towards the end of January 2012 and yielded 13 tons per hectare.
about the harvest: The Merlot grapes were harvested by hand at 24,5 to 25,5° Balling in the third week of March 2012.
in the cellar : Fermentation took place in rotation tanks at 26° to 28°C until dry, using pure yeast cultures, and was completed in five to eight days. After a two-week period of maceration on the skins, the wine was transferred to stainless steel tanks to complete malolactic fermentation. Thereafter the wine was transferred to 300-litre third-fill French oak barrels to mature for seven months. A touch of Malbec was added before bottling to enhance sweetness on the palate. Bottling took place in December 2012.