Stellenbosch
Ernie Els Wines Major Series Merlot 2017
75clErnie Els Wines Major Series Merlot 2017

Technical sheet
Type Of Wine: | red wine |
---|---|
Vintage: | 2017 |
Appellation: | Stellenbosch (Western Cape, South Africa) |
Winery: | Ernie Els Wines |
Volume: | 75cl |
Grapes: | Merlot |
Allergens: | Contains Sulfites |
Alcohol Vol.: | 14.76% |
Wine Level In The Bottle: | Mid-Shoulder (ME - Mi-Epaule) |
Description of Ernie Els Wines Major Series Merlot 2017
Ernie Els Wines Major Series Merlot 2017 (Merlot)
TASTING NOTES:
- Appearance: Dark red.
- Nose: Ripe plums and earthy notes supported by a core of minerality and fleshed out with ripe strawberry, forest underfloor, hint of chocolate, and a deepening of dark black berry laced with a hint caramel and oak spice.
- Mouth: The savoury palate is coated in sweet attractive oak with distinct salty edge. Medium bodied, fresh yet serious with good line of acidity and clean to end.
APPELLATION: Stellenbosch
VINEYARD: Ernie Els Wines
GRAPES: 94% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
AGEING: The batches were pressed and transferred to a combination of old and new French oak for maturation separately for 14 months (micro-vinified) before blending and eventual bottling. This Merlot will age well for 5 years or more.
PREPARATION: The hand-picked bunches arrived at the winery in the morning, and were then sorted and destemmed. Whole berries were fermented in open top tanks as well as in barrels with intermittent pump-overs and punch downs to ensure a balance between flavour, colour and tannin extraction from the skins. All ferments were meticulously monitored during fermentation to ensure that all the natural aromas and flavours were preserved and highlighted as required. After primary fermentation some batches were left on the skins for extended maceration as required.
PAIRING: Beef Wellington or a good leg or shoulder of lamb but hold the mint sauce.
ABV: 14.5%
- The savoury palate is coated in sweet attractive oak with distinct salty edge.
- Medium bodied, fresh yet serious with good line of acidity and clean to end.
- Aged for 14 months in French Oak barrels.