Wednesday 10 March 2010

Winemaker's Series: Delaire Estate

Posted by Julian Campbell, Buyer

Morney Vrey, winemaker at Mr. Graff's Stellenbosch interest, Delaire Estate, has his whites in the winery and finds himself in the middle of an "interesting but challenging " red vintage....

"All Sauvignon Blanc’s from different areas are in tank and fermenting-looking promising
Durbanville fruit is showing best potential and was harvested and crushed just before the current heat wave.

All Chardonnay is in the barrel.
Beautiful Cabernet Franc Rose, timing of harvest was perfect, juice is showing great promise: stunning fruit flavours – raspberries, strawberries.

Sudden heat wave last week lifted sugar levels on red varietals rather unexpectedly .Harvesting decisions are therefore being determined by fruit flavours and phenolic ripeness rather than chemical analysis.

It’s certainly an interesting but challenging vintage for reds. "