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Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
3.2
pH
3.54
Acidity
5.8
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Carefully crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers appealing aromas and bright, succulent flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats & Clayton Christians
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

Due to a cool, wet spring, budding was seven to 14 days later than normal on average, but consistently good and even. The cool weather delayed initial shoot growth. Most vines started to catch up by flowering, which occurred about five days later than usual. Harvest time was delayed by ten to 14 days on average. As temperatures remained moderate throughout the rest of the season vineyards took their time to reach optimum ripeness.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pumpovers to extract colour and tannin from the skins. A small percentage of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. Approximately (8%) of the blend was from the 2019 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for up to 12 months.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.5
Residual sugar
2.1
pH
3.63
Acidity
5.4
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Carefully crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers appealing aromas and bright, succulent flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats & Clayton Christians
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

Warmer periods during the latter part of the winter resulted in some un-even budding, flowering and fruit set. The moisture levels in the soils were satisfactory throughout the growing and ripening phase, and very little moisture stress was noticeable on the vines. The late start to the 2021 harvest was one of the distinguishing hallmarks of this vintage. The cooler growing conditions of the 2021 vintage produced elegant wines with softer tannin structures that will make them accessible and drinkable from an earlier age.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pumpovers to extract colour and tannin from the skins. A small percentage of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. Approximately (8%) of the blend was from the 2019 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for up to 12 months.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.5
Residual sugar
3.4
pH
3.32
Acidity
5.8
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Carefully crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers appealing aromas and bright, succulent flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats & Clayton Christians
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
Yes

Vintage conditions

The very dry, warm weather conditions throughout the 2019 harvest resulted in healthy grapes and small berries with good intensity. Despite the drought conditions yields were good in the general Coastal and Breed river area. The vintage was free of disease and vine stress, and the vines were able to carry the crop to optimum ripeness.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pump overs to extract colour and tannin from the skins. Approximately 40% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and aging on new French oak staves. A significant portion (14%) of the blend was from the 2018 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for up to 12 months.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.5
Residual sugar
3.0
pH
3.47
Acidity
5.6
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Carefully crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers appealing aromas and bright, succulent flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Blank
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats, Clayton Christians
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
Blank

Vintage conditions

The 2018 harvest kicked off 7-14 days later than usual in most regions. After slow shoot growth initially, vines picked up the pace as temperatures rose towards the end of November. Although December and January were hot, none of the usual heatwaves were present. The rest of the growing season and harvest were notably cooler than normal. Vineyards were healthy with limited incidences of pests, diseases or rot thanks to the dry weather.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pump overs to extract colour and tannin from the skins. Approximately 40% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and aging on new French oak staves. A small portion (2%) of the blend was from the 2017 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for 16 months.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.9
Residual sugar
5.5
pH
3.54
Acidity
5.4
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Carefully crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers appealing aromas and bright, succulent flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality. A blend of 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
No
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
No

Vintage conditions

2017 was an exceptional vintage. The growing season was characterised by extremely dry conditions, with ideal warm days, cool nights and none of the typical summer heatwaves. The drought conditions meant that there was no rot or disease pressure, resulting in small berries and reduced yields. Grapes retained excellent natural acidity and the vintage produced wines of great freshness, concentration and flavour intensity.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pump overs to extract colour and tannin from the skins. Approximately 40% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and aging on new French oak staves. A small portion (2%) of the blend was from the 2016 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for 16 months.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
13.4
Residual sugar
4.9
pH
3.53
Acidity
6.2
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
A commitment to social responsibility is integral to the Indaba philosophy, and a portion of the sales supports early education for workers’ children.
Tasting note

Crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot offers enticing aromas and bright, juicy flavours of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality. 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Partial
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Blank
Winemaker
Bruwer Raats
Closure
Screw top
Region
Western Cape
Vegan
Blank

Vintage conditions

The 2016 growing season was extremely dry and hot. It was the earliest harvest on record in the Cape, occurring on average two weeks earlier than usual. Warm, dry conditions helped to keep grapes free from any rot or disease pressure. Low moisture levels resulted in reduced yields. Vines produced compact bunches and small berries, which translated into wines of great fruit concentration. Ripeness was achieved at lower sugar (and hence alcohol) levels.

Vinification details

The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours, de-stemmed and gently crushed. The must was left to cold soak for two days before it fermented naturally in stainless steel tanks, with frequent gentle pumpovers to extract colour and tannin from the skins. Approximately 80% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and aging on new French oak staves. A small portion (4%) of the blend was from the 2014 vintage, and was aged in 225 litre French oak barrels for 20 months.