Pinotage Atlantikas 2023

Originating from the South African coast, this wine is born near the Atlantic Ocean, in vineyards exposed to cool winds and mild nights. The plots lie on soils blending sand, schist, and granite, providing natural drainage and limiting vine vigor. This maritime location moderates temperatures and promotes a slow and even ripening of the grapes. The vineyard benefits from generous sun exposure while retaining a strong oceanic influence, giving the wine a fresh and saline character.

The grapes for Pinotage Atlantikas are hand-harvested from coastal vineyards, then destemmed and spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts in open vats, with very gentle extractions to preserve the fruit's finesse. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is aged in neutral oak barrels and vats to retain its freshness and maritime character, without seeking pronounced oak influence. The wine is aged on its fine lees for several months before a minimally interventionist bottling, generally without fining and with minimal filtration.

This wine reveals notes of crisp red berries , ripe black fruits , and juicy plum , enhanced by subtle hints of dried flowers and a touch of sweet spice . A delicate smoky nuance and a light earthy character also add complexity to the bouquet. On the palate, the wine remains supple, supported by fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a long, moderately intense finish marked by a delicate saline sensation.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.