21 Gables Pinotage 2018
A South African gem, Pinotage is starting to enjoy a well-deserved wave of appreciation. I love it for its energy and food versatility. Barrel matured to perfection, this Pinotage is bright with prosperity. Like a dancer on a stage, it is structured yet graceful and will last beyond the decade. Time and tannin make great wine. - Johan Jordaan, Cellar Master, Spier
TASTING NOTE:
Deep ruby red on the eyes, this is a Pinotage to sink into slowly. The nose exudes violet aromas and sweet, ripe blackberries and cherries which overlay a hint of graphite. Classic and full-bodied style, the palate follows with ripe, Black Forest cake-like flavours while the tannins are dense and velvety for an opulent finish.
SERVE WITH:Serve with mature beef, venison, lamb and ostrich dishes with berry jus or strong cheese.
WINEMAKER:
Johan Jordaan
ORIGIN:
Stellenbosch
ANALYSIS:
Alc |
14.69 % vol |
TA |
5.8 g/L |
RS |
3.7 g/L |
pH |
3.57 |
VINEYARD AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS:
We source Stellenbosch mountain fruit grown in decomposed granite. This ancient soil retains water well due to the high proportion of clay on-site, reducing the need for irrigation. These 15-year-old vines overlook False Bay on the Southern side, enjoying moderate temperatures. The cool evenings encourage concentrated acidity and tannins in the smaller berries.
WINEMAKING:When it comes to Pinotage, we picked on taste, waiting for the tannins to soften. We also harvested at staggered picking dates, encouraging complexity. When harvest began, we handpicked and pre-cooled the fruit before destemming. The berries were individually sorted to remove raisins, pink and large berries. Partial (15%) natural fermentation took place in stainless steel while the balance was inoculated with specific yeast strains. Ten different fermentation batches of this wine took place in the cellar to create complexity and layers. Free-run wine was then drained to a combination of first (about 70%) and second fill French, American and Hungarian oak barrels, where it matured for 20 months. Barrel selection resulted in a balanced, cool climate Pinotage with great complexity and ageing potential.
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