Southern Right is re-defining Pinotage with this intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. Full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa's unique grape variety.
in the vineyard : Growing Season
A good winter chill was followed by a relatively cool wet spring with particularly heavy rainfall in November, causing some challenges with disease control and contributing to lower yields by interfering with flowering. Nature redeemed itself with sunny dry weather during harvest. A higher than usual number of sunshine days did not result in excessive heat and 2009 was a cooler vintage than average - but not too cool. The grapes of 2009 were characterized by high acidity, low pH, excellent colour, prominent fruit perfume and wonderful tannin. This is a top vintage.
Soil: Low-vigour, stoney, clay-rich, shale-derived soil
Yield: 7.11
Tons/ha: 48.28 hl/ha
in the cellar : Barrel Maturation: 100%
Barrel Aging: 10.5 months - 1st fill 41%; 2nd fill 35%; 3rd fill 24%
Wooding: 100% 228 litre French Oak Barrles - Alliers 30%; Other Tight Grain 70%
French Coopers: Francois Freres 58%; Mercurey 31%; Ermitage 11%
Malolactic: 100%
Production: 3667 x 12 cases
Release Date: November 2010