Single Vineyard Merlot

Serve with hearty dishes like a grilled T-bone with herbed butter, Osso Bucco or try with a dark chocolate flourless cake. Beef Wellington

The valley in which Doolhof lies is blessed with unique and varied terroirs. The microclimates, growing conditions and soil types make it ideal for growing wine grapes. The Estate lies between Bain’s Kloof and the Groenberg Mountain Range. The result is soils that are finer, more balanced and deeper than in the surrounding countryside with clay content evenly distributed. A combination of Malmesbury shale, homogenic Glenrosa and Clovelly soils ensure that the roots are able to descend to four metres or beyond. Roughly 40 of the farm’s 380 hectares are planted to vine. Soils, growing conditions and microclimates vary considerably across this large expanse (which reaches up into Bain’s Kloof), and each grape varietal is faithfully wedded to its ideal terroir. Two white varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, are grown, with a substantial number of reds. They include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Pinotage and Shiraz. The white varietals are planted on the eastern slopes of the Groenberg, which allow the grapes cooler days and less direct sunlight. The late sunrise and early sunset also allow for a longer ripening process, enhancing the elegance of the award winning wines.

From our pemium vineyard on an elevated hill centrally situated on the estate, these vines are planted on a granitic Oakleaf soil with a deep shale base.

MLF happened in stainless steel tanks and afterwards the wine was aged in 40% new french oak 300 l barrels for 12 months. Bottling took place in June 2019.

Hand picked, with bunch sorting done at the cellar before destemming and crushing lightly. After two days of cold soaking, the fermentation was started. This lasted 6 days with two pump-overs a day at temperatures between 23 and 28 degrees celsius. After fermentation a further maceration was allowed for another 7 days after which the wine was removed from the skins.