Robertson Winery Pinotage 2023

Robertson Winery Pinotage is a barrel aged red made from Pinotage, South Africa's signature variety, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault created in 1925. The winery was founded in 1941 in the Robertson Valley of the Western Cape, drawing fruit from vineyards farmed by local families over several generations. The Robertson district is warm and dry with lime rich soils, and that limestone is unusual in the Cape and helps the vines hold acidity and structure in a hot climate, while ripe sunshine drives the wine's generous fruit. Pinotage ripens early and accumulates sugar readily, which explains its deep colour and full body. After fermentation the wine ages in oak, softening the tannin through slow oxygen exchange and adding vanilla, cocoa and a smoky char that suits the grape's naturally smoky profile. The colour is deep and dark. The nose shows ripe plum and dark berry fruit over smoke, pepper and sweet spice, and the palate is full bodied and fruit driven, with soft tannin and a warm finish. Serve at 17 degrees with grilled and barbecued meat.