Pinotage is an important part of the Fairview range of wines, with vineyards planted on various soil types in a number of regions. The wine is gently oaked and emphasizes the ripe fruit flavours of the variety.
ABSA TOP 10 PINOTAGE 2010
IN THE VINEYARD:
Pinotage was primarily harvested from bush vines in Malmesbury and Agter-Paarl, some of which are over25 years old. These older vineyards are dry farmed and the vines grow on deep soils. This is supplemented by fruit from irrigated, younger, trellised vineyard on the slopes of Paarl mountain.
HARVEST DATE:
First and second week of February 2009
WINEMAKING:
The grapes were picked over a number of days at sugar levels between 24.5 and 25.5°B. The bunches were destalked, and lightly pumped through the crusher with the rollers full open. After yeast and malolactic fermentation was completed in stainless tanks, the wine spent ten months in used French and American oak barrels, before blending and bottling.
WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS:
We had good rain through the growing season and there was a cool ripening season. With lengthy ripening on the vines, the tannins are gentle and well evolved making the wine accessible in its youth. We have maintained a restrained oaking regime. Anthony de Jager
TASTING NOTE:
Dark chocolate and blackberries aromas with a hint of caramel. Palate shows soft tannins supported by clean acidity. Ripe fruit follows through with liquorice and cherries on the palate and a long finish.
WINE ANALYSIS:
Wine of Origin Coastal Region
Alcohol 14%
Residual sugar 3.7 g/l
Total acid 4.4 g/l
pH 3.58
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Robert Patrick Shaw says:
I have just finished my case of Pinotage 2009.
I have been a cabernet sauvignon fan for years and I find that your Pinotage is fantastic and even surpasses some of the cabs I have had. As our LCBO Ontario only listed the Pinotage as a temporary listing I am going to try to get your Ontario Agent: RKW Wine imports to order two cases of your 2010 vintage.
Cheers,
Patrick Shaw