Price: $22.00
Summary: The ONLY Pinotage made in Massachusetts!
Our winemaker fell in love with Pinotage wines while spending 3 weeks studying the wild animals in southern Africa in 2009. Fast forward to 2016, and he jumped at the chance to work with this unique grape straight from the vineyards of South Africa. Vintners in South Africa created the Pinotage grape varietal in the early 20th century by crossing the Pinot Noir and Hermitage (known as Cinsault in the rest of the world) varietals. During South Africa’s Apartheid era, Pinotage was grown for cheap red wine and distilled spirits, and has only become recognized as a unique premier red wine varietal following the fall of Apartheid and re-emergence of South Africa into the world stage. Grown almost solely within South Africa, we are thrilled to partner with Musto Wine Grape Company of Hartford, CT to import this very unique grape.
Tasting Notes: The nose brims with notes of red currants, black plum, black raspberries, & cherries. Round and rich on the palate, the wine finishes with hints of woodsmoke, spicy tannins, bacony minerality, and rooibos tea.
Aging Potential: Drinkable in 2024 through 2030.
Food Pairing Suggestions: The perfect pairing with grilled sausage, hamburgers, fire-roasted game meats, roast pork, or hearty pastas.
Technical Data
Appellation: Breede River Valley, South Africa
Varietal Composition: 90% Pinotage / 10% Malbec
Aging Protocol: 12 months in well-used French oak barrels.
Alcohol: 13% ABV
Production Volume: 715 bottles
Vintage and Production Notes
The grapes from the Southern Hemisphere arrived in Westford in mid-March during deep snow. The grapes were crushed and frozen until temperatures warmed and allow fermentation to be possible. Fermentation with BDX yeast was complete within 10 days. An additional 0.75 g/L tartaric acid addition was necessary after malolactic fermentation for balance and richness. The wine was aged in a mix of 6-7 year-old French oak barrels for 24 months. Just prior to bottling, the wine was blended with malbec to add palate weight.
Prior Vintage Information
