Rupert & Rothschild ‘Classique’ Merlot Blend, Western Cape 2018

50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carbernet Franc

Matured for 16 months in 225-litre French oak barrels. The wine has an ageing potential of at least 7 years from vintage.

The Rupert &Rothschild Classique is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the former dominating the flavours. The nose shows a tempting melange of fragrant plum blossom, cassis, raspberry and ripe figs. Serve it with rich, meaty dishes like Beef Wellington.

Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Pump overs of the skins occurred three times a day to ensure a soft and delicate extraction of colour and tannins. Selective post-fermentation skin contact was applied and the wine was drawn off for malolactic fermentation in cement tanks before maturation. Matured for 16 months in French oak barrels. The wine has an ageing potential of at least 7 years from vintage.

The Classique to produced from naturally farmed drip irrigated vineyards with a vine age averaging 9-30 years of age. The grapes were hand-picked from the beginning of February to the end of March. A season with lower than usual rainfall, followed by a notably cooler ripening period, led to smaller berries with a delicate expression of fruit.