Stellenbosch 1679 Old Vines Pinotage 2020 x 6

This 2020 vintage Old Vine Pinotage was made with carefully selected grapes from a 45-year-old Single Vineyard Raised Bush Vine block, from the farm Skoonheid, Stellenbosch. The vines, with rootstock Richter 99, were planted in 1975 by Bennie van der Westhuizen. The soil type, which is derived mainly from granite, is reddish to yellow in colour, with mid-drainage Coffee Rock on a base of shale and deep Glencoe clay; mainly Tukulu and Dresden soil types

Phenolic ripe grapes were harvested and fermented for 7 days in open fermenters on the skins. After fermentation transferred to French oak barrels, where it finished its primary fermentation. Secondary fermentation and ageing for 16 months in 300-litre French oak barrels.

Bottled in December 2021 and released in February 2022.

The wine boasts a bouquet of fresh cherries, red fruit and hints of spice, with an appealing mocha on the finish.