Circumstance Merlot 2022

Waterkloof, teknisk ark/fact sheet (waterkloofwines.co.za – linket fra waterkloofwines.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 2022 Waterkloof Circumstance Merlot; druer: Merlot; alkohol 13%. Producentens noter (engelsk): Fact sheet: IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE VINEYARDS Once regarded as Cabernet Sauvignon’s lesser sidekick, Merlot is now considered its equal by many. Little is known about the origin of the varietal, but it has been cultivated in Bordeaux since the 18th century. The block used for our Circumstance Merlot is planted on the south-west facing slopes of the Schapenberg, at an altitude of 240 to 260 meters above sea level, and a mere 4 kms from the Atlantic Ocean. Strong south-easterly winds help control growth and crop yield. Soils are of sandstone origin with medium size stones, helping with both drainage and moisture retention. Production was approximately 5 tons/ha. At Waterkloof, we pride ourselves on not spraying any chemical herbicides, fungicides or pesticides in our vineyards. We produce our own compost and natural preparations. These practices ensure loose soil with more life, where the vines can spread their roots as they please, taking up everything they need from our rich and complex earth. We believe that regenerative farming leads to terroir-driven wines, which are truly made in the vineyard. A GENTLE HAND We harvest according to taste, spending extensive time in the vineyards tracking flavour development. Grapes are hand-picked into small crates to preserve quality, then hand-sorted, destemmed, and transferred by gravity into open-top wooden fermenters. Fermentation occurs naturally with wild yeasts from the vineyard, with twice-daily punch-downs allowing for gentle extraction of colour and tannin. The wine remains on the skins for 25 days before being basket pressed. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, followed by ageing in 15% new French oak, with the balance in second- and third-fill barrels for 20 months, and a further nine months in 600 L French oak barrels to enhance elegance and texture. The wine is unfined, with only sulphur added, allowing for a pure expression of the grape and site. AND A FEW PRAYERS TO MOTHER NATURE: THE 2020 / 2021 GROWING SEASON The 2022 season was defined by moderate conditions, allowing the vines to achieve full phenolic ripeness and develop complex flavours. A cold winter ensured good dormancy, although rainfall remained below ideal.. On the farm, a minimum tilling approach was adopted to build soil carbon and improve water retention. […]