GREAT EXPECTATIONS CRANE RED MERLOT 2018
Goedverwacht Estate is a family owned estate, beautifully situated in the Robertson Valley on the banks of the Breede River. The farm has been owned by the Du Toit family for three generations dating back to 1950.
At present the farm constitutes 180 ha under vineyards and spans a diverse range of terroirs, soil types and micro climates. This enables us to produce wines of distinctive character with an inherent fruit purity and elegance.
The Robertson / Bonnievale district has a dry Karoo climate but at night the air cools down considerably. The soil varies from deep alluvial next to the Breede River to heavy Karoo clay and limey gravel on the slopes, enabling Goedverwacht to produce a wide variety of cultivars suitable to the different soil types.
VINEYARD
A 5 year old vineyard standing on a Southern slope, in soil with very high clay content with limey spots through out the vineyard. Rootstock 8-7, Merlot clone Mo 12.
CLIMATE
Moderate temperatures during ripening, ensured even ripening. Cool night temperatures was favourable for good colour development in the skins.
HARVEST
Machine harvested from 3am to 11am into 2 ton bins after we did grape selection in the vineyard. Production of 6000/7000 litre per hectare.
WINEMAKING
Grapes were harvested at 25.5 degrees balling. Fermentation took place in stainless steel pump over tanks, after a cold soaking period of 2 days. The fermentation temperature was controlled at 25 C. The wine was fermented dry on the skins and then pressed to another tank where malolactic fermentation took place and finished within 3 weeks. The wine was then racked and put into a tank containing French Oak staves. Here the wine spent another 7 months before being fined, stabilised and filtered before bottling.
ANALYSIS
Alcohol 14 vol % Sugar 5,8 g/l pH 3,56 Acidity 5,70 g/l V/A 0,45
TASTING NOTES
This Great Expectations Crane Red Merlot is ruby red colour, nose of red berries and dried plums complimented by dark chocolate and whiffs of coffee. Soft, rounded mouth feel and ripe, supple tannins ensures great drinkability.
Food pairing: roast turkey, beef short rib, or a rustic ratatouille! For braised meat pairings, try complementing Merlot’s boisterous fruit notes with chimichurri sauce.
Ideal with cheeses, pastas, red meat dishes and chargrilled burgers.
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