Thorn-Clarke 'Sandpiper' Merlot 2018

A deep purple colour with rich plum and blackberry aromas, this Merlot is enticing and perfumed in style. Ripe berries and Christmas spice are highlights on the palate. Medium bodied and plush the wine finishes with long, smooth tannin and complex, savoury oak notes. The grapes are crushed and de-stemmed into fermenters. Yeast is added immediately once in fermenter and the ferments are pumped over twice daily to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction. Cooling is used to ensure ferments remain in the 22-25 degrees celcius range which will allow the fruit to display maximum fruit expression. Pressing then occurs approximately seven days after crushing and the wine is then put into a mix of French and American oak to mature (12 months in tight grain French and American oak).