Ahead of this challenging vintage, winter brought enough cold to break dormancy although drought conditions persisted. It was the third year in a row without groundwater recharge. The cool weather continued into spring and delayed bud break, which occurred without incident. Cooler nights and days with higher than long term rainfall kept vine development on track.
October and November saw higher rainfall, but not enough to make up the deficit while Southeaster winds during fowering had a variety of impacts. December and January were significantly warmer than 2017. Harvest also began five days later and was defined by small berries, low yields and big concentration. Despite the rollercoaster ride, harvest’s near perfect timing produced great, elegant wines with full ripeness.
Tasting notes:
This elegant and modern styled Pinotage shows true varietal characteristics, with an abundance of blackcurrant, black cherries, plums, and hints of fruit cake and marzipan on the nose. The intense concentration on the palate is the result of a combination of sweet fruit and well-integrated oak. The silky-smooth tannins contribute to the juicy, round and seamless finish.
