2017 Black Label Pinotage

Single plot of 65-year-old, dry-farmed bush vines, on decomposed granite and Hutton soils, harvested at 2.8 t/ha. Fermentation in open concrete fermenters at 28 °C, with manual punchdowns every two hours. Juice drawn off skins after three and a half days. 18 months in new, 225-litre French Nevers oak, mainly from Vicard. TA 5.4 g/l, pH 3.62, RS 2.6 g/l, VA 0.82 g/l, total SO 2 85 mg/l, free SO 2 41 mg/l . Deep black-ruby. Cooked raspberry, fresh earth, vanilla and clove spice. Compact, dense fruit on the entry, with powerful, but fine-grained tannins. Lots of density and weight. Needs time, but this has the core of quality to potentially equal the 2015. (TJ)

The 2017 Black Label Pinotage is the estate's premium label, this vintage matured for 16 months in 100% new oak. It has a marvelous bouquet of beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit, touches of mint and fennel emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, a smooth texture and a fresh, tensile finish. This cool, calm and collected Pinotage should age with panache . Stunning.

Immediately impressive upfront, the nose of the 2017 Black Label Pinotage is open and expressive. The opaque core has deep purple edges, and the fruit is concentrated with the oak. The dense and chewy fruit expresses the full array of blue, black and dark red tones—dark plum, blackberry, black cherry with hints of blueberry fill the nose of the glass. On the palate, the fruit has a depth and breadth that is complex and gives pleasure. This is an impressive Pinotage bottling. The mid-palate is rich, full-bodied and is highly complex, while the finish is still youthful and has a firm tannic grip that will ensure this wine lasts for decades. Wow! This full-bodied wine ends with a long and highly complex finish with notes of dark chocolate. It is an impressive wine that will captivate your attention.