Terre du Soleil – Merlot, Pays d’Oc – 2022-23

PRODUCER NOTE:
A quartet of varietal wines which have carefully selected, blended and bottled for Hallgarten Druitt. This collection of deliciously fruity and herbaceous wines is evocative of the South of France. The vibrant flavours, heady with the scent of garrigue, come from vines nourished by the Mediterranean sun. These wines are attractively packaged and priced to boot.

VINTAGE:
2022 Vintage – The 2022 season started with good rainfall in spring, which replenished the soil water reserves and sustained the vines through the hot and dry summer that followed. The summer was warm and dry, which followed through into September and provided perfect conditions for the final stages of ripening. The harvest took place under good conditions and the quality of the grapes harvested was excellent showing good aromatics and concentration of flavour.

VINEYARD:
The fruit is sourced from carefully selected vineyards in the Pays d’Oc. The Pays d’Oc area has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, with the majority of rainfall occurring during the spring and autumn. Dry, continental winds from the north west bring cooling influences to the vineyards, which help to reduce disease pressure. This wind is interspersed with warm winds from the south, which bring moisture to the vines. Each vineyard site has its own terroir characteristics which add subtle complexity to the resulting wine.

WINEMAKING:
The grapes were vinified in the traditional manner in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine was unoaked in order to let the purity of the fruit shine through.

TASTING NOTE:
A vibrant wine full of plummy fruits, supported by subtle notes of tobacco and chocolate in a smooth and quaffable style.

GRAPE:
Merlot 85%, Marselan 15%.

COUNTRY:
France

REGION:
Languedoc

SUB-REGION:
Pays d’Oc