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Wolf & Woman

2023

Pinotage

Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Pinotage is something Jolandie always knew she wanted to make but it is by far her biggest challenge.  It is an untamed beast in many ways and deserves the highest respect of the winemaker in order to eschew the less than desirable notes and instead focus on the purity and nuance the grape actually has.  Being a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir, Jolandie never understood why anyone would look to change the inherent DNA by making it in a manner like Bordeaux varieties.  She opts for freshness and vitality in all of her decisions from the vineyard to the bottle, and this way you can still recognize the personalities and traits of the parents.

The fruit was hand-harvested over two picks from two sites on the Paardeberg and then brought back to the cellar for three days of cold soaking. After that, 15% of the fruit was left fully intact with the rest being destemmed, but not crushed.  Fermentation occurred without any additions in open-top fermenters with the whole-clusters being placed on top of the destemmed fruit.  One gentle punchdown per day was done in order to break up the fruit a bit and to achieve the appropriate amount of extraction.  After 12 days on skins the fruit was pressed to a combination of old 300L and 500L French barrels for maturation. Following ten months of aging on the fine lees, the wine was bottled without fining and just a gentle filtration and small sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Pinotage
  • Vineyard: Paardeberg (90% Joubertskloof Valley - 10% Aprilskloof Valley)
  • Vine Age: 51-years-old (Joubertskloof) - 25-years-old (Aprilskloof)
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite
  • Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – open-top plastic fermenters (15% whole-cluster - 85% whole-berry)
  • Skin Contact: 12 days
  • Aging: 10 months in neutral 300L & 500L French barrels
  • Alcohol: 12.8%
  • pH: 3.7
  • Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
  • Total SO2: 60 ppm
  • Total Production: 408 cases
  • UPC: 6009648141384

Tasting Notes

Bright crimson. This is all about dark red cherries, red currants, herbs, and a dash of cumin. Concentrated but elegant and fully in balance, this is not your stereotypical oaky, fruit-bomb Pinotage. It is elegant and balanced and represents the best of new wave South African wine.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"90% of grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1973, 10% from a vineyard planted in 2006. 15% whole-bunch fermented. Matured for eight months in older barrels, two months in concrete tank. Red cherry, orange, potpourri, earth and spice on the nose while there is an intriguing interplay between sweet fruit and grippy tannins on the palate – rustic in the best sense."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

95

"Regularly one of my favourite Pinotages, this Old Vine Project red showcases the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg, using 90% grapes from a parcel planted in 1973. Light and ethereal, it has subtle 15% whole bunch spices, plum and red cherry fruit, violet and rose petal top notes and sculpted tannins."

- Tim Atkin, MW

Vinous

91

"The 2023 Pinotage comes mainly from a single vineyard planted in 1973, plus 15% from younger vines. It spent 12 days on the skins and 15% whole cluster, less than previous vintages. It then matured for eight months in used 500-liter barrels and two months in concrete. This has a wonderful bouquet with real transparency: red cherries, bergamot and light rose petals scents. It comes across more Grenache than Pinotage. Very balanced and harmonious, the palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and an elegant, understated finish. This is very approachable and utterly delicious."

- Neal Martin
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Producer


Wolf & Woman

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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