Merlot 2018 – Château Oumsiyat

To produce Merlot Château Oumsiyat the fruit was carefully sorted to ensure only healthy, ripe grapes were vinified. Traditional fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 28°C with selected yeasts. Remontage or pump overs took place periodically to oxygenate Merlot Château Oumsiyat and extract tannins. A long post-fermentation maceration took place to extract colour, flavour and impart structure to the wine. Ageing in stainless steel preserved the integrity of the pure fruit character. The wine was lightly filtered before bottling.

The vines are planted on the slopes of Mount Lebanon at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level, where the warm days are tempered by cooler nights. The summer diurnal temperature difference encourages an extended ripening period; concentrating the flavours and aromatic complexity in the berries, while the fruit retains balancing acidity from the cool nights. The soil is sandstone clay, a sedimentary soil made up of sandy components rich in minerals, while the clay component has excellent water retention properties, essential for nourishing the vines throughout the hot, dry summer. The vines are cane pruned and are planted at a density of 4,000 vines per hectare. The vineyard is cultivated with respect for the environment and the grapes are hand-harvested at optimal maturity.