Red Blend - Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Cabernet Merlot Blend

The three different varieties were carefully blended, and show rich, ripe blackcurrant cabernet fruit on the palate with savoury, velvety, gentle tannins of the Merlot. The Cabernet Franc gives this wine a long spicy finish with well integrated French oak tannins.

Viticulture:
The grapes for this blend – 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc grapes were selected from the Helderberg region in Stellenbosch and the Merlot grapes from Tulbagh. All three cultivars were picked separately at optimum ripeness from vineyards growing in deep red Hutton and Clovelly soils.

Vinification:
The grapes were picked early in the morning and after destalking left to cold soak for 3 days at 9°C. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were fermented in open fermenters and regularly punched-down for optimum colour and tannin extraction. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes were regularly pumped over for optimum skin and flavour extraction. After fermentation, extended skin contact was given. After pressing, the wine was separately matured for 12 months in 30% second and 70% third fill French oak barrels before bottling.