BOSCHENDAL APPELLATION SERIES ELGIN MERLOT 2016

In the prized cool climate and unique vineyard sites of the Elgin Valley, Boschendal has found a second home to produce this very distinctive range of limited wines. This area consistently produces wines with elegance, finesse and typical Old World restraint. The other hallmarks of the Appellation Series wines are their good minerality, stellar ageability and a remarkable purity of fruit. The Appellation Series, which features a crest honouring Jean le Long, the first title holder of the Boschendal farm in 1685, consists of a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, varieties that are considered to truly shine in this cool-climate area which is garnering increasing international acclaim. This in a traditional apple growing region where vineyards vie for space against orchards. The Highfields farm was purchased in 2017 to protect and build on the legacy these premium wines have achieved over the years.

The grapes used to make this wine are sourced from our best Merlot vineyard situated in Elgin, at an altitude 330 m above sea level, and managed for ultra-premium quality. The vineyard grows on a steep southern slope and is exposed to cool afternoon sea breezes, which results in very slow ripening yielding soft tannins and balanced, elegant fruit with beautiful blueberry flavours.

Very strict berry sorting is carried out at the cellar to make sure no green fruit end up in the fermentation vessel. Fermented in open top stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs. Aged for 18 months in 300-litre French oak barrels (2nd fill) for gentle extraction and excellent integration of flavours and tannins.