al Pinotage 2007
“A hectic vineyard year - we uprooted old red vineyards with virus infection and replaced with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a hurry up and wait harvest caused by high temperatures alternating with downpours and dry-outs then into hurried picking again, lots of tank juggling, all the reds ripened at the same time and before we knew it – the harvest was over. Our first Coronata white blend was released, we won a Michelangelo double gold for Pinotage 2005 plus it won “Best Durbanville Red” at the Terroir competition also winning best Semillon in South Africa. Sauvignon blanc went to screw cap. Cassia went live. We finished the year with a wonderful Christmas present when Sébastien was born to Jacus and Elrina.”
Tasting Notes
.....Always a wine with enormous character, in recent years our Pinotages have begun showing their class as well. An early impression of wild meatiness with cigar box and liquorice is held together with mouth filling fruit suggestive of sweet violets and black currents. The well made structure shows up in the cool climate mild mint and firm biting finish. Venison stew would be my choice with this wine.
Winemaker Comments
Fortunately for us - here is a case of “give us another one just like the other one”. - the popularity and pedigree of this wine speaks for itself. We are always surprised at the character of the wine coming from such a cool area. The grapes are always very healthy and render quite a mix of character depending on proximity to trees, slope and temperatures. The consistency of the quality is also unusual from our area - we just seem to have a beautiful block that delivers great grapes every year.
