Vergelegen Reserve Merlot 2018 vs Vergelegen Reserve Shiraz 2020
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications. One of these is currently out of stock across tracked merchants.
| Availability | Out of stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | — | £17.99 |
| Current stockists | — | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Vergelegen | Vergelegen |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Merlot | Shiraz |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy | No current tracked offers |
Vergelegen Reserve Merlot 2018
All the grapes came from Vergelegens vineyards: Kopland, Stonepine, Korhaan and Rooiland. Although most of the Merlot was planted on north and north-west facing slopes, the Korhaan and Lower Schaapenberg vineyards are on cooler sea-facing aspects. Two clones were used: a French Bordeaux and an Italian clone. The vineyards are all dry-land, but are carefully monitored to avoid stress. The fruit was picked at peak physiological ripeness to avoid the necessity of adding acid and prevent the extraction of hard tannins. Fermentation took place at 28C and lasted seven days. The wine was then left to macerate for two weeks before being run off into barrels for malolactic fermentation. It was racked four times to encourage tannin evolution and then matured for twenty months in small French oak barrels, only 50% of which were new. Ripe plum colour with a ruby rim. The nose shows ripe fruit flavours, spice and a touch of chocolate. The ripeness of the fruit is balanced by fresh fruit acid and soft wood/fruit
Vergelegen Reserve Shiraz 2020
The grapes were selected from Vergelegens own 1 ha Shiraz vineyard. The vineyard is situated on Rooiland, which is cooler than our Stonepine vineyards. This small block is intensely manipulated to simulate optimal growing conditions. With the aid of neutron moisture probes stress conditions are avoided. This is manifested in the quality of the grapes. The grapes were hand-picked and transported in 500kg bins to the Vergelegen winery. Care is taken to ensure that no over ripe or damaged fruit is used in the winemaking process. All the grapes were crushed and destemmed. The Shiraz must was then inoculated with Rhone yeast, D254. Fermentation took 5 days and was conducted at a temperature of 30 C in closed vessels. This was followed by a further 14 days maceration on the skins. Pressing was very gentle and the young wine was matured for 16 months in 30% new French oak and the balance in second and third fill French oak. Dark ruby with violets, spice, chocolate, black and red berry fruit on the nose. Elegant on the palate. The tannins are ripe and soft and the wine has a long clean aftertaste.
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