Laibach Merlot

LAIBACH CLASSIC Merlot 2014

TECHNICAL DETAILS

VARIETAL	100% Merlot
ALCOHOL	14%
TOTAL ACIDITY	5.3 g/l
pH	3.59
RESIDUAL SUGAR	2.2 g/l

TASTING NOTES

Merlot has always been one of our specialties. We have a very good reputation for this varietal for many years already. Do you think Pinot Noir is the heartbreak grape? Try making world class Merlot in South–Africa! The grapes for this wine are coming from a very exciting new area right on the snowline in South–Africa. The grapes are handpicked and cooled overnight. Destemming is followed by a very strict sorting to remove all unwanted green stems before the berries are crushed. A few days cold soak is given at around ten degrees and some colour is extracted using traditional techniques. No yeast is added and after a few days the tank is warmed up and we do a quick warm fermentation with 2–3 specialized pump overs to get rid of green aromas, extract colour and a bit of tannin. Skin contact in total can be 10–35 days depending on vintage. After fermentation the skins are lightly pressed and natural malolactic fermentation is done in tank. The wine is matured in French oak barrels for 12–14 months. Deep dark colour. Good nose with some bitter chocolate, meat and hints of blackberries. Medium bodied with good tannin structure to support an array of flavours. The wine has got good grip and freshness with good complexity and depth. A wine that can be drunk now but will reward those lying it down for a few years. Enjoy.