Rijk’s Estate – Private Cellar Pinotage

Cultivar

100% Pinotage.

Characteristics

Full-bodied red wine, fruit driven food wine.

Tasting Notes

This dark red coloured wine has elegant red fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry and cranberry on the nose. These exquisite aromas carry through onto a rich, creamy palate where it lingers for moments after the wine exits the palate. Silky, well-integrated and elegant tannins keep this wine in perfect harmony and balance. One of our most delicate Pinotage’s in the Private Cellar range to date.

In the Vineyard

Soil: Low yielding, well-drained vertical shale/schist
Aspect: West, Northwest and East. Trellis and bush vines
Yield: 6.2 tons/ha

Harvest

Grapes were night harvested and picked by hand to retain flavours.

Cellar Practices

A 48-hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract colour and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by doing manual punch downs 3 times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. MLF took place in barrels. Matured for 22 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels. A total of 40% new, 30% 2nd fill and 30% 3rd fill barrels were used for ageing.

Ageing Potential

12 or more years after vintage

Serving Temperature

Recommended to be served at 16ºC.

Analysis