2006 Astra Red

Technical information and Tasting notes


Harvest date: March 7,11 2006
Growing region: Stellenbosch South Africa
Crushing regime: Crushed and destemmed
Fermentation: French yeast 24° to 26°
Blend composition: 30% Merlot, 70% Cabernet Sauvignon
Cases produced: 250
Bottling date: December 2008


The Astra Red 2006 is a barrel selection or our 10 best red wine barrels in the cellar from the 2006 vintage. I selected three Merlot and seven Cabernet Sauvignon barrels after 16 month of oak maturation. The selection process was very critical on the wines and I only selected very fine, delicate and well balanced/integrated barrels. The blend was then made up in tank and brought back to barrel for another 6 months after which the wine was racked from barrel and bottled without any fining or filtration. The Astra red has now been in the bottle since December 2008 and is in the process of being released. Only 3000 bottles was made.

Tasting notes: The wine is classic in style, serious yet very accessible flavours with plums, mulberries, black cherries, chocolate and coffee on the nose. The palate is rich, soft and silky with the complexity of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon combining with delicate oaking in a soft seductive finish.

Alc: 14 %
RS: 2 g/l
Ph: 3.62
T.A.: 5.9 G/l


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