Cabernet Franc Cab Sauvignon Merlot

This powerful, yet elegant wine is based on Cabernet Franc (38.5%), cropped at a little more than 1 ton per hectare from dryland bush vines. With its perfume and berry fruits, this variety finds unique expression in Darling.

Wine:		Cloof Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Origin:		Darling
Cultivar:		Cabernet Franc (38.5%) – Cabernet Sauvignon (38.5%) - Merlot (23%)
Vintage:		2003
Tasting note:		This powerful, yet elegant wine is based on Cabernet Franc (38.5%), cropped at a little more than 1 ton per hectare from dryland bush vines. With its perfume and berry fruits, this variety finds unique expression in Darling. To this were added broad-shouldered yet friendly Cabernet Sauvignon (38.5%) and super-concentrated Merlot (23%), all from dryland bush vines. The constituents were blended before ageing for 14 months in French Oak (95% new).
Vineyard Information
Age of vines:		Mostly planted in 1998 and 1999, with some from 1992
Trellising:		None (bush vines)
Irrigation:		None
Soil:		Decomposed granite and Oakleaf
Position:		East facing slope and flat
Cellar information
Harvest date:		Cabernet Franc: February 18 Cabernet Sauvignon: February 24 – 27 Merlot: February 11
Sugar at harvest:		25.5ºB - 27ºB
Yield:		Cabernet Franc: 2.2 Ton/Ha Cabernet Sauvignon: 6 Ton/Ha Merlot: 0.52 Ton/Ha
Fermentation:		Merlot: Grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, then cold-macerated for 48hours before being inoculated with yeast. The grapes spent 8 days on skins and were pressed when dry. Fermentation temperature was 31ºC. Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc: Grapes were de-stemmed and inoculated the same evening. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes spent 3 weeks on skins before pressing and the Cabernet Franc 10 days. Both fermented at 32 ºC.
Maturation:		All three components were blended together at the end of alcoholic fermentation. At the end of malolactic fermentation the wine was transferred to new French Oak (90%) and third fill French oak (10%). The wine matured for a further 14 months.
Bottling date		Aug 2004
Alc:		15.07 %
RS:		2.30 g/l
Extr:		34.60 g/l
pH:		3.91