The Nest Merlot, 2019

An easy drinking and beautifully balanced Merlot, with ripe plum, blueberries and forest fruit flavours complemented by a touch of chocolate and wild herbs. 

Meet the maker: Lake Chalice

Region: Marlborough – New Zealand

Grape(s): Merlot (100%)

12.5% ABV / 750ml / Vegetarian

Viticulture:

The fruit is sourced primarily from Lake Chalice’s estate-owned Falcon Block, near Renwick in the Rapaura district of the Wairau Valley.

The Falcon Block sits on part of an old river bed and as a result has stony, sandy soils.

The vines are low yielding and produce intensely flavoured fruit from a combination of different pruning methods.

Winemaking:

The grapes were carefully sorted and vinified in stainless steel tanks. 

Once fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed and racked into a combination of French oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks where it underwent malolactic fermentation.

60% of the wine was aged on the lees for a minimum of seven months in seasoned French oak.