Saxenburg Private Collection Pinotage 2022

Pinotage is South Africa's own grape, a 1925 crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault created by Abraham Perold at Stellenbosch, made to combine the elegance of the one with the reliable ripening of the other. Saxenburg grows it in Stellenbosch, in the Coastal Region, where a warm Mediterranean climate is tempered by ocean breezes off False Bay and weathered granite and sandstone soils lend structure. The Private Collection Pinotage spends 12 months in French oak barrels, which firms the tannins, adds fine spice and vanilla and lets gentle oxygen exchange round out the wine. The colour is a deep red with a purple rim. The nose shows red fruits, blackcurrant and dark cherry, with sweet spice and a light smokiness from the barrel. The palate is full and velvety, with ripe tannins, good structure and a savoury, dark-fruited finish. At 13 per cent it stays balanced and fresh. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant if young. It suits grilled and roast red meats, game and hard cheese.