2016 Estate Merlot

GRAPEGROWER & WINEMAKER
Josh Pfeiffer

FRUIT SOURCE
Grown on our Estate at Whistler Wines, Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga, Barossa Valley.
Clone D3V14 planted in 1997 on dark loam and biscay soils, 100m south-east of our Cellar Door building.

WINE MAKING
Harvested just before day break, at the coolest time of the day, this wine was fermented wild on skins for 7 days before it was basket pressed and put to oak. 20% new American oak hogsheads and 80% second and third use French and American hogsheads were used to retain the fruit character before blending and bottling after 20 months in oak. This wine was bottled with no fining and no filtration.

THE WINE
Beautiful deep red colour in the glass. Aromas of plum, blueberries and violets. This soft, juicy wine is lovely and smooth on the palate with flavours of chocolate and blue fruits. There is a great tannin backbone from the oak, which carries the wine across the palate and allows the wine to match well with tomato based dishes like ragu or lasagne.

TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol: 13.5% pH: 3.44 T.A.: 6.87 g/l

RECOMMENDED CELLARING
Drinking well now, or could be cellared until 2024.