Circumstance Merlot

The grapes come from two neighbouring, south-facing and wind-exposed vineyard sites on the Schapenberg at an altitude of around 240–260 metres, approximately three kilometres from the Atlantic. Low yields are around five tonnes per hectare. After hand-harvesting, destemming and sorting, the grapes underwent spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in open wooden fermenters and remained on the skins for 30 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrel; the wine then matured for 18 months in French barriques, 15 percent of them new. The vintage shows plum, sour cherry, tomato leaf and earthy notes, with fresh acidity, fine tannins, medium body and a long finish. Bottled unfiltered. ([south-african-wines.com](https://www.south-african-wines.com/waterkloof-circumstance-merlot-2022?utm_source=openai))