Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesFynbos, rooibos tea and a touch of tobacco lead the bouquet of this earthy red. Blackberry sauce, plum and boysenberry follow suit to provide a fruity core and carry through to the medium-plus palate alongside bold, gripping tannins and a firm structure. Ample acidity helps to keep the balance in check, and while this is currently intense, it is so in balance, with all elements working together to form a cohesive whole. This will mature well, so enjoy now (with a good decant)
This shows plenty of smoky aromas with hints of tar, spice and plums that follow through to a medium to full body with slightly chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Very typical. Very drinkable.
A balanced, medium-bodied red, with dark berry and cherry fruit that's ripe, juicy and enriched by hints of mocha, dried fig, melted licorice and loamy earth. Supple tannins and a touch of orange peel acidity keep this focused and harmonious.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.