Bright purple edge with an intensely dark core. Cherry tobacco and Christmas spice of cloves and cinnamon abound. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine delivers flavours of sour cherry, cocoa, Cedar wood and fresh plums.
Technical Tasting Sheets:
Amandelboord Pinotage 2018 - PDF
Amandelboord Pinotage 2017 - PDF
Traditional South African fare such as braaivleis (BBQ), wildspotjie (game stew), Cape Malay bobotie (an oven-baked dish of spiced mince and dried apricots topped with an egg-custard), biltong (beef jerky) and samp with beans will be a true delight to enjoy with Pinotage. Non-conformists can try Pinotage with sushi, especially sashimi with pickled ginger and soy sauce to complement the spicy and umami flavours of the wine.
The 2017 vintage was recognised by consistent hot and dry weather, but with no significant heat waves. Moderate to cold nights, coupled with much-needed light rain early in December, resulted in favourable growing conditions and excellent flavour concentration and acidity.
Grapes were hand-picked just before dawn, then crushed and open-fermented while undergoing pneumatic punch-downs four times a day. The wine was basketpressed and transferred to tanks for malolactic fermentation. On completion of MLF, the wine was racked and transferred to 225 litre barrels to mature for 11 months in 20% new French Oak, 10% new American Oak, and 70% in a combination 2nd and 3d fill French and American Oak.
2017
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2019 Double Gold
- The Sommeliers Selection 2019: Reds - Voluptuous & Rich
2016
- China Wine & Spirits Awards 2018 Gold
- IWSC 2018 Gold
- Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2018 - Best Pinotage Trophy
2015
- Tim Atkin SA Report 2017 91 Points