2019 Lepp Embers Path Merlot

The 2019 Ember’s Path Merlot was harvested with excellent flavour and when the fruit was hanging clean on the vines. We started by destemming all of the fruit and about 50% of the fruit is crushed, while the other 50% remains whole berry during a 5-7 day cold soak. After cold soaking, we warm up the fruit for alcoholic fermentation. Once alcoholic fermentation is complete and the tannin structure is right, we gently press each batch of wine off of the skins with our basket press, tasting at the press and then pump it to a settling tank. After settling, each batch of wine is put into specially selected barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. The wine is sulphured in barrel to preserve the character and fruit and continues to age with careful monitoring for 18 months. Through tasting and blending trials, the Merlot is then taken out of barrels, when ready, and blended into tank to integrate as the final wine. This Merlot is special selected barrels who quality and balance was above and beyond all others. A light filtration is carried out before bottling.