Vergelegen V 2003
Vineyards
The vineyard used for the production of the V is Stone Pine IV. This vineyard consists of two adjacent units on the west to northwest facing inland slopes of Schaapenberg. It is relatively sheltered from the prevailing breezes coming off False Bay and therefore enjoys a slightly warmer but still predominantly maritime climate.
Block size: 2.8 ha
Row Direction: NNW-SSE
Elevation: 160 -205 m above sea level
Aspect: West to Northwest
Distance from ocean: 8 Km
Age of soil: 40-50 million years
Winemaking and Maturation
The cabernet sauvignon was fermented in open tanks at high temperatures (28-32) and punched down every three to four hours to maximise colour and tannin extraction. The merlot was fermented at 28ºC with regular pump-overs. The new wine was given 30 days of post-fermentation maceration before being run off into 100% new barriques for malolactic fermentation.
The wine was then transferred to 100% new tight-grain, medium toast Sylvain French oak barrels with thin staves (22mm) for 18 months. The wine received four rackings in the first year, and an egg-white fining and coarse filtration before bottling.
Tasting Notes
The nose is complex, showing blackcurrants, red cherries, cedar wood, lead pencil and cigar box aromas. These develop in the glass and are joined by raspberry, black cherry, spice and a hint of gaminess.
On the palate the wine is concentrated but elegant, with fine-grained tannins. These tannins soften even further in the glass, resulting in a luxurious wine with a long aftertaste.
Technical Details
14.5 % Alc
2.9 g/l RS
6.3g/l TA
3.6 pH
Cabernet Sauvignon – 90%, Merlot – 7%, Cabernet Franc – 3%
