Merlot
French black grape variety originally associated with the great wines of St-Emilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux, but now so popular that it (with Cabernet Sauvignon) is the most planted dark-skinned red variety. Produces smooth textured, fragrant wines of some astringency. Buds, flowers and ripens at least a week before Cabernet Sauvignon. Early flowering makes it sensitive to coulure, and loose bunch structure with thinner skinned grapes makes Merlot prone to rot, downy mildew. Responds better than Cabernet Sauvignon to damp, cool soils.
Budburst - Early, Harvest - Midseason
| Available for orders | |||
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| Delivery 2013 | Delivery 2014 | Delivery 2015 | |
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Note: Delivery is for dormant vines only – for potted vine options, please call 0800 11 37 47. * Limited availability. |
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| Riversun Certified Clone/Selection | |||
| ENTAV-INRA® 181 |  |
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| ENTAV-INRA® 343 | |
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| ENTAV-INRA® 347 | |
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| BDX 481 | |
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| BDX 2096 |  |
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| Erindale Selection | |
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| Pask Selection | |
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| UCD 3 | |
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| UCD 6 | |
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Merlot ENTAV-INRA® 181
- Riversun Premium Import
- Sourced from France (ENTAV-INRA®) 2004
Virus Status
2010: Tested positive for Rupestris Stem Pitting Virus
Viticulture
Good crops of small bunches with high sugar content. Wines within the type for the variety. Refer to clonal listing for MERLOT BDX 481 regarding confusion surrounding previous import to New Zealand.
History
Refer to clonal listing for MERLOT BDX 481 regarding confusion surrounding previous import to New Zealand.
Merlot ENTAV-INRA® 343
- Riversun Premium Import
- Sourced from France (ENTAV-INRA®)
Virus Status
2010: Tested positive for Rupestris Stem Pitting Virus
Viticulture
Good productivity, long loose bunches, well set, shorter bunches compared to 347 with similar development.
Flavour profile
Good clean flavours.
Merlot ENTAV-INRA® 347
- Riversun Premium Import
- Sourced from France (ENTAV-INRA®) 2004
Virus Status
2010: Tested positive for Rupestris Stem Pitting Virus and Grapevine Fleck Virus
Viticulture
Medium crops of medium or smaller bunches (bunches are perhaps longer than 181). Medium sugar content, similar to 181.
Merlot BDX 481
- Riversun Premium Plus
- NZGVIG import from France (Bordeaux) 1988
Riversun source from NZGVIG (Rowley Crescent).
Virus Status
2010: Tested positive for Rupestris Stem Pitting Virus and Grapevine Fleck Virus
Viticulture
A Te Awa Vineyard selection by Rod Bonfiglioli for good yield of medium to small, loose clusters.
History
The import was named 481 during the importation process, but there is no such ENTAV-INRA® clone and it appears the numbers were transposed incorrectly (should be 181).
Merlot BDX 2096
- Riversun Premium Plus
- NZGVIG import from France (Bordeaux) 1988
Riversun source from NZGVIG (Rowley Crescent)
Viticulture
Moderate crops of medium to large berries, less demand for this clone as 481 preferred over 2096
Merlot Erindale Selection
- Riversun Premium Plus
- A Hawkes Bay selection
Viticulture
Low to moderate crops, fruit set can be variable, loose bunches and tough skins. Tendency towards larger berries.
General Comments
Wine quality normally good
Merlot Pask Selection
- Riversun Premium Plus
- A Hawkes Bay vineyard selection from CJ Pask Vineyard
Viticulture
More productive than the Erindale Selection with long loose bunches and bigger berries - possibly earlier ripening than Erindale.
General Comments
Wine quality normally good.
Merlot UCD 3
- Riversun Premium Plus
- A W Irwin Import from USA (UC-Davis) 1978
Riversun source from vines in the old National Collection at Blands
Virus Status
2010: Tested positive for Rupestris Stem Pitting Virus
Viticulture
Moderate to low crops of medium-sized clusters and berries.
General Comments
Wine of good quality.