{"product_id":"2023-excelsior-robertson-merlot-liberty","title":"2023 Excelsior, Robertson Merlot - Liberty","description":"\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root accordion_paragraphSection__v26kt MuiTypography-body1\"\u003eThe De Wet family has owned Excelsior Estate, in the Western Cape town of Robertson, since 1859. Though the estate has had various incarnations, including ostrich farming and racehorse rearing, it has always been used for vine growing. Freddie De Wet and his sons Peter and Jacques now run the 220-hectare estate focused on the ‘big five’ varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Robertson is located 100 kilometres east of Cape Town, where, although the climate is hotter, it is moderated by sea breezes and the Breede River. The diurnal temperature differences allow for slow ripening and retention of the primary fruit aromatics and bright acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root accordion_paragraphSection__v26kt MuiTypography-body1\"\u003eExcelsior is unique for such a large estate, as all the grapes are hand-harvested, providing many jobs for the local community. As a result, they have the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association’s (WIETA) Fair Labour Practice seal and are also Integrity and Sustainability Certified by the Wine and Spirit Board. Both are voluntary accreditations that adhere to strict codes of conduct.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root accordion_paragraphSection__v26kt MuiTypography-body1\"\u003eThe Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for two months on its lees to give the wine a touch of richness. It is a classic South African Sauvignon Blanc, zesty with hints of passionfruit, grapefruit, and gooseberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root accordion_paragraphSection__v26kt MuiTypography-body1\"\u003eThe Merlot is supple and juicy, with notes of black plum and baking spice. 45% was aged in a combination of French and American oak for six months to give spice and structure. A proportion of the Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for nine months in French and American oak, enhancing its blackcurrant fruit, spice, and fine, firm tannins. Notes of blackberry, fruit cake and bright acidity define the Shiraz, 30% of which is aged in a combination of French and American oak for eight months. The Excelsior wines are vibrant and fruit-forward, making them approachable to drink with or without food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root accordion_paragraphSection__v26kt MuiTypography-body1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor years the Excelsior land was grazed by thoroughbred horses, the limestone rich soils thought to provide them with a source of calcium through the vegetation they consumed. This limestone content has proven to be beneficial for grape growing; the grapes grown here display greater spice notes in reds and fresher acidity in whites, than is typical in the Robertson region. Merlot is difficult to grow successfully as the variety often displays green flavours and tannins. To minimise this, very strict canopy management practices are followed, with water shoot removal twice, leaf pluck where necessary, and most importantly bunch thinning. This ensures an adequately \"open\" canopy, so that most berries get sunlight exposure. This brings out the blackcurrant and red fruit characters of Merlot and avoids green tannins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"MuiPaper-root MuiAccordion-root accordion_accordion__I9cut Mui-expanded MuiAccordion-rounded MuiPaper-elevation1 MuiPaper-rounded\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"MuiCollapse-root MuiCollapse-entered\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"MuiCollapse-wrapper\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"MuiCollapse-wrapperInner\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"region\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"MuiAccordionDetails-root\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1\"\u003eThe 2023 vintage saw one of the driest winters on record. The spring brought moderate temperatures but the rainfall remained low. This quickly shifted in December, as the region saw one of the wettest summers of the decade. Good canopy management and disease control were extremely important in maintaining a healthy crop. Harvest resulted in a small yield of very healthy fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrapes were harvested by hand for greater quality control. The bunches were immediately destemmed, but kept whole berry. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for a period of seven days at temperatures between 28 and 32°C. Aerated racking took place twice daily to ensure a clean ferment and soft tannins. The grapes were gently pressed in a bladder press, after which malolactic fermentation was completed in tank. The wine was aged for 18 months prior to bottling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the nose, this wine shows lovely ripe blackcurrant characters, backed up by smoky coffee and spice notes. The palate is soft, with ripe tannins and a long finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Wine Tasting Adventure","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56927638061434,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0527\/4297\/9770\/files\/420d3e12-dc23-4695-b535-9a5f2b2888f5__250x500_8abd12c6-840b-4c74-8f58-a95f88edc627.jpg?v=1779898823","url":"https:\/\/www.wine-ta.co.uk\/products\/2023-excelsior-robertson-merlot-liberty","provider":"Wine Tasting Adventure","version":"1.0","type":"link"}