Jordan
1999 Jordan Merlot
Description
Spectacular panoramic views of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, cool hillside vineyards planted to classic varieties, and a modern family-run winery have combined to produce distinctive wines displaying the ripe concentrated fruity accessibility of the New World, with the complex elegance of classic wine.
Variety
93% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc
Vineyards
The Merlot was hand-harvested from east- and north-facing 7 - 13 year old vineyards, situated on decomposed granite soils. The vineyards were unirrigated to ensure smaller berries with concentrated fruit flavours.
Harvest Date
The grapes were hand-harvested between 20th February – 2 March 1999.
Winemaking
Fermented in overhead retort-shaped, stainless steel fermentors at 28-32ºC. Pump-overs done twice daily over the fermenting cap. A small portion received extended maceration while the remainder was pressed immediately after fermentation. The wine was racked into barrels during the second week of March where it underwent malo-lactic fermentation. After further racking it spent between 12 -14 months in new and second fill 225 litre French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
A full-bodied wine with rich, ripe plummy flavours and soft rounded tannins. The full fruitiness of the variety integrates well with the toasty coffee flavours of French oak.
Analysis
Alc: 13.5%, TA: 5.5g/l, pH: 3.60, RS: 2.4g/