Bellingham The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2017 Stellenbosch

This Pinotage is a sensual rendition of South Africa’s signature indigenous variety. Hand-harvested from low yielding, unirrigated bush vines, with black cherry, mulberry and raspberry fruit, an earthy minerality and beautiful oak integration.

In the Vineyard: The grapes used to make this Pinotage come from a prized 43-year-old bush vine block, where the vines grow in weathered granite soils with small yields. Very precise shoot thinning and green harvesting is performed to maintain the best quality and balance. Grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness.

In the Cellar: The best bunches were individually selected in the vineyard followed by a second berry selection and sorting at the cellar. Fermented in open French oak barrels with daily punch-downs. After malolactic fermentation in barrels, 50% of the wine was matured in new French oak and 50% in second fill barrels for a period of 12 months.

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby with tints of purple on the rim. Liberal black cherry, ripe mulberry and raspberry confit aromas are followed by plum pudding, smoked meat flavours and savoury hints of truffle, as well as good spice oak integration on the long, succulent finish. Drinking well already, it promises to develop savoury richness, secondary intrigue and definitive smoothness with up to 10 years bottle maturation. A sumptuous wine that is tremendously versatile with a variety of gastronomy including venison, duck, lamb and beef dishes.

Grape Variety: Pinotage
ABV:14%
VOL:750ml