variety : Pinotage [ 100% Pinotage ]
winemaker : Carl Schultz
wine of origin : Stellenbosch
analysis : alc : 15.2 % vol rs : 3.32 g/l pH : 3.55 ta : 5.91 g/l
type : Red style : Dry body : Full wooded
pack : Bottle closure : Cork
in the vineyard : Average age of vines: 11 years
Number of clones: 2
Vineyards: 5 blocks totalling 5.19 hectares
Planting density: 3300 vines per hectare
Soil types: Kroonstad (Koffee-klip) and Pinedene
Vintage
2007 was a high quality vintage with cool, cloudy weather resulting in aromatic, elegant reds that displayed a mix of red and black fruit on taste.
The variety
In our wish to create a richly flavoured, top-end red wine, first and foremost, which then also happens to be a Pinotage. Much effort and research has gone into the viticulture and wine-making of this "South African" variety.
This, our sixth vintage encapsulates what we are in pursuit of and exhibits the flavour and character of its parentage, namely the primary berry and cherry flavours of the Pinot Noir and the savoury length of Cinsaut
in the cellar : In the lead up to vintage 2007, improving grape quality was pursued through green harvesting after verraison and rigorous selection before picking, so only the healthiest and organoleptically ripe grapes were harvested.
The grapes were entirely hand picked and upon arrival at the cellar were de-stemmed. A cold maceration for two days was followed by five day fermentation. Fractional pressing followed this and each of the blocks and their pressings were kept separate. Fermentation took place at 24° to 28° C and 90% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel. The final blend for this vintage was made in July 2007 before being returned to barrel. The wine received quarterly racking and was filtered before bottling.
Barrel ageing: 50% New French 225li oak; 50% Second-fill French oak
Time in wood: 22 months
Bottling date: December 2008
Total produced: 16036 bottles