Cecilia Wines Old Vines Pinotage 2021

Skurfberg (Citrusdal Mountain) wijngaard geplant in 1976 en 1981

Kleur: donkerrood
Geur: meteen aansprekend, vooral rood fruit zoals rode bessen, pruimen, kruidig (witte peper)
Smaak: volle aanzet, sappig, kruidig, stevig, lange complexe afdronk
Houdbaar: Nu op dronk en houdbaar tot en met 2027
Lekker bij: wild, de meeste vleesgerechten, struisvogelbiefstuk, vrijwel alle gerechten waar paddenstoelen de hoofdrol spelen.

Tim Atkin 93/100 
Cerina van Niekerk uses fruit from two old vine parcels on Citrusdal Mountain and Piekenierskloof, both located on sandstone soils, to produce this impressive Pinotage. Curated in older oak, it’s a scented, well-structured style, with serious depth and tannins and liquorice, black cherry and bramble fruit flavours. 2024-30

Platter’s ****(*) 90/100
Elegant & accomplished 2021 from bushvines (a West Coast rarity) on Citrusdal Mountain, mostly wholeberry, wild yeast fermented, lending spice & texture to succulent black berry & currant fruit. Concentrated yet sleek from 15 months in barrel, all older, as both ranges unless noted.

Vineyard
Cecilia Pinotage is made from one of only a few bush vine vineyards in the West Coast region of South Africa. Growing in the hills between Clanwilliam and the Atlantic ocean, at an altitude of approximately 400 meters, these old vines have learned to cope without irrigation by balancing themselves to only produce a small quantity of bunches per vine.

Winemaking
The grapes are hand harvested in small lug boxes and crushed into large open top barrels where regular punch- downs are done. A small percentage of the berries remain in tact, additions are limited to a minimum and native yeasts conduct the fermentation at a gentle pace. After fermentation the skins are gently pressed with a basket press and the wine is siphoned into inert barrels where it rests and develops for 15 to 18 months before bottling.

Tasting Notes
The wine has a medium deep core with a vibrant cherry red hue, typical of Pinotage. Fresh nuances of red currant and dark plum on the nose and fine, ripe tannins combine in a balanced, concentrated wine with a lingering finish.