The Aspect is from a vineyard at the top of the estate and the name refers to the direction the slope faces. Planted on a band of Malmesbury shale that runs through the farm's top 3 vineyards, this shale is the oldest soil type in South Africa and one of the oldest in the world. Due to leaching of the soils over millennia they are not very fertile and limit the vigour of the vines and increase resulting quality of the grapes. The vineyards yield between 5 and 6 tons per hectare and were planted in 1998. Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted twice in the cellar, as bunches and as berries. Fermentation then occurs spontaneously in 7,000-litre French oak tanks, followed by a post fermentation maceration on the skins of 30 days. Maturation then takes place in 225-litre French oak barriques for 24 months. 30% new oak is used with the remainder made up of second and third-fill. Residual sugar: 2.2g/l. Bottled at 14.5%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: Red currants, black plums, fresh fennel and sage.

Palate: Juicy fruit on entry with notes of plums and blackberry standing out. Mid-palate slightly more savoury with hints of fennel.

Finish: Broad chalky tannin with a little acidity bringing balance and length.

#REDWINE #MERLOT