variety : Merlot [ 60% Merlot, 40% Shiraz ]
winemaker : Tinnie Momberg
wine of origin : Middelvlei
analysis : alc : 14.11 % vol rs : 3.4 g/l pH : 3.77 ta : 5.2 g/l
type : Red style : Dry taste : Fruity wooded
pack : Bottle closure : Cork
in the vineyard : The story of Hagelsberg
It was in 1679 when Simon van der Stel, then governor of the Cape, first discovered the fertile valley of Stellenbosch, which he later named after himself. His first view of one of the hills surrounding the valley was in stormy weather and he appropriately named it Hagelsberg - in Dutch "hagel" means hail. The name soon changed to Papegaaiberg, as it is still known today. The beautiful vineyards of Middelvlei stretch along the northern slopes of the same Papegaaiberg.
Hagelsberg Stellenbosch Red 2009
The Merlot vines on Middelvlei were planted in 2001 and cover 6ha. They were grafted on rootstock Richter 99 and are situated at an altitude of 160m above sea-level, facing south-west. The grapes were harvested during February and March 2009.
At Middelvlei, 15,12ha of the estate has been devoted to Shiraz. The vineyards, planted in 1979, 1990 and in 1998 - at 3704 vines per ha and, at an altitude of 160m above sea level - facing east. They were grafted onto rootstock Richter 99 and planted in Hutton and Clovelly soils. The vines are trellised which keeps the grapes cool and healthy.
The rainfall during the winter, as well as the growing season, was average. The annual rainfall was 660mm for the 2008/2009 season compared to the long-term annual average of 700mm.