Clare Hills Clare Valley Merlot 2008 (Produced by Neil Pike)
CLARE VALLEY MERLOT PRODUCED BY NEIL PIKE.
DONT PAY: $17.95
$9.99each for 12
$10.99each
DESCRIPTION
Produced by one of the Clare Valley's finest winemakers Neil Pike, this rich, full, Merlot is an absolute bargain.
Deep red appearance with typical Clare Valley dark chocolate regional character on display as well as black cherry, Satsuma plum and quality charry French oak. The palate is rich, full and soft with concentrated flavours of berries, dark chocolate and mocha. Soft tannins and good acid gives added length to the finish.
100% Merlot, 100% Clare Valley 100%. Production: 500 cases.
The 2008 vintage was amongst the earliest experienced in the Clare Valley. Most of South Eastern Australia was affected by the continuance of a severe drought with crop levels being reduced once more. Again the timing of harvest was critical with accelerated sugar levels early in the vintage causing a flurry of activity.
The grapes for this wine were both hand and machine harvested, transported to the winery, crushed and destemmed into open fermenters and cold soaked for three days before fermentation began. The wine was pumped over twice daily during ferment for approx 7 days and this was followed by draining, pressing and then maturation in French oak casks for 14 months before racking and blending. The wine was stabilised and lightly filtered prior to bottling.
BOTTLE TOPS: STELVIN
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14.0%