Pinotage Full Berry Fermentation 2023

Originating from the vineyards of South Africa's Coastal Region, this Pinotage comes primarily from plots located around Stellenbosch and its breezy hills. The vines benefit from a climate tempered by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean and from varied soils that blend decomposed granite with deeper clays. This contrasting terroir allows the grape variety to ripen slowly, retaining good freshness. The significant temperature variations between day and night promote intense aromatic expression while preserving the grape's natural balance.

The Pinotage grapes are hand-harvested and then placed in vats as whole bunches for a full-berry fermentation, promoting gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. Fermentation takes place in open vats with light pump-overs and punch-downs to preserve the fruit and freshness. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is gently pressed and then aged in vats and used barrels to retain the pure and juicy character of the varietal, before bottling with minimal intervention.

This wine reveals notes of crisp red berries , fresh cherry , and juicy plum , complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet and peony. Spicy nuances of sweet pepper and licorice mingle with a subtle, light oak character. On the palate, the texture is supple and juicy, supported by lively acidity, fine, ripe tannins, and a luscious, medium-length finish that remains clean and balanced.

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.