VERGELEGEN V 2003
The nose is complex, showing blackcurrant, 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.
Not for the oak-averse; luxurious black plum/cassis lashed with wood. (21 mths new); behind the pyrotechnics, densely layered fruit is waiting to unfold over the next 5 – 10 yrs. Single-vyd cab, blended with merlot, tiny seasoning cab f (90/9/1) [John Platter]
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AWARDS
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John Platter Guide 2008 : 4.5 Stars
International Wine & Spirit Competition 2006 : Silver
John Platter Guide 2006 : 4.5 Stars
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Origin
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The grapes were carefully selected from Vergelegen’s Stonepine and Rondekop vineyards. Planted in 1989 these vineyards are north and north-west-facing with granitic, hutton and Clovelly soils. The cabernet sauvignon clone is CS46a, a classic French clone, and the merlot is from an Italian clone, merlot 12, grafted on Richter 110 rootstock.
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Vinification
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The cabernet sauvignon was fermented in open tanks at high temperatures (28-32) and punched down every three to four hours to maximize 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.
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Composition
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90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot , 3% Cabernet Franc
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Analysis
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14.5 % Alc
2.9 g/l RS
6.3g/l TA
3.6 pH
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Maturation
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Vergelegen V
Vergelegen White Blend
