2022 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.73%
Residual Sugar 3.8 g/L
pH 3.52
Total Acidity 5.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Pinotage
Pinotage100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Tukulu soils in bottelary hills; alluvial soils in franschhoek
Orientation Northwest-Southeast
Sites 60% Bottelary Hills; 40% Franschhoek
Vine Age Planted 1995 and 1999
Fermentation Vessels Open Top Fermenter, Oak Barrel
Oak Aging 16 months
Oak Types French oak
Barrel Size 225L and 300L barrels
Contains Added Sulfites Yes
Production Details The wine was made from 60% fruit from Bottelary Hills and 40% from Franschhoek. The Bottelary block was planted in 1995 at 270-300 meters above sea level on a westerly slope, while the Franschhoek vines were planted in 1999 with drip irrigation and yielded 6-8 tons per hectare. Grapes were handpicked in bins, crushed and destemmed to open-top fermenters, then cold soaked for one to three days before inoculation with a selected yeast strain. The Bottelary batch received manual punch downs every two hours from 07:00 to 23:00 for four days, while the Franschhoek batch received six manual punch downs per day, then punch downs were reduced to avoid over-extraction. Fermentation peaked at 29C. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine was transferred to a combination of 225L and 300L barrels, with the Franschhoek batch also fermenting on 1 g/L top-quality French oak staves. The wine matured for 16 months in a combination of second-, third- and fourth-fill barrels.
Tasting Notes
Nose: sweet plums, mulberries, blueberries
Palate: subtle oak spice, richness, depth, fine-grained tannins, smooth finish
Vintages
2021 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.36%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.51
Total Acidity 5.5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Pinotage
Pinotage100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Weathered shale soil
Vine Age 10 years
Oak Aging 12 months
Oak Types French oak
Barrel Size 225L and 300L older French oak barrels
Contains Added Sulfites Yes
Production Details Only the best Pinotage fruit was selected from bush vines in Agter-Paarl, with one bunch per shoot retained for concentration of fruit and colour. Optimum ripeness was achieved at 25-26 degrees Brix. The grapes were hand harvested and 10% of the juice was drawn off at crushing to intensify structure. The wine underwent two days of cold soaking before inoculation, followed by four days of fermentation on the skins with regular punch downs. Fermentation peaked at 26C. The wine was pressed at 3 degrees Brix and matured for 12 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Palate: sweet plums, ripe mulberries, perfumed oak, dark fruit, red fruit, integrated tannins, lingering finish
Critics Ratings International Wine & Spirits Challenge 2023: 92 Points - Silver (2021 Vintage)
International Wine & Spirits Challenge 202392 Points - Silver (2021 Vintage)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Devon Valley Road, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 (0)21 865 8100
Owner
Bernard Fontannaz
Cellarmaster
Debbie Thompson