2020 Merlot, Thelema

Sourced from established vines which were planted in 1988 in Hutton soils (decomposed granite) at a density of 3200 vines per ha. Vineyard practices include vertical hedge trellising, spur pruning to 2 buds every 12cms and supplementary drip irrigation. Harvesting was by hand from 19th February to 11th March and yielded 7t/ha.

The whole bunches were de-stalked, hand sorted and crushed into stainless steel tanks where fermentation took place at 28 degrees C with pump overs for 6 days and a further 5 days maceration followed by 100% malo-lactic fermentation and pressing into 30% new French barriques where ageing was for 20 months before bottling.

Juicy, rounded Merlot with a spicy nose, sweet with cinnamon and freshened by liquorice and a pleasant mouthful of red and black berries.