Merlot Reserve 1995

Vergelegen, teknisk ark/fact sheet (vergelegen.co.za – linket fra vergelegen.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 1995 Vergelegen Merlot Reserve; 100% Merlot; alkohol 13.8%. Producentens noter (engelsk): Tech sheet: RESERVE MERLOT 1995 Origin All grapes grown on Vergelegen, this time in three vineyards as opposed to two in the case of the landmark 1994 Merlot. Soils quite rich, high in clay yet well-drained and rocky. Vineyards planted in 1989 and 1990, all to the same clone Vinification Berries destalked but only partially crushed. Part of the wine fermented with natural yeast. Pump-over method used for extraction, rather sparingly in 1995 as the grapes were very ripe. Only free run used, taken directly to barrel for malo-lactic fermentation. Fourteen months in second-fill French Oak barrels, racked every four months. After egg white fining and coarse filtration bottled in May 1996. May throw a sediment. Composition 100 % Merlot Analysis 13.81 % Alc 2.3 g/l RS 5.6 g/l TA 3.47 pH 40 mg/l Total SO2 26.8 g/l Extract Maturation Should age for ten to fifteen years, maybe more. Tasting Note We believe 1995 is the best red wine vintage yet bottled on Vergelegen. This Merlot is richer, more complex and more seriously structured than the 1994. It is therefore developing more slowly but should last longer and have more to offer. The 1994 has a strong following because it offers more earlier, but we’re convinced the 1995 sets the new target.