Wine Composition
100% Pinotage
Winemakers Comments
The 2015 vintage is regarded as a superlative one. This deep colored Pinotage lives up to its expectations with its complex nose showing off layers of blackberry, as well as red berry aromas. Some mulberry notes, with underlying coconut and cinnamon spice on the nose are also present. Silky, elegant tannins keep this wine in perfect harmony and balance on a rich, mouth filling palate.
Awards
Tim Atkin | 92 points (2014)
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
14.06%
TA
6 g/l
pH
3.42
RS
1.7 g/l
Cellar Techniques
Grapes were night-harvested and picked by hand to retain freshness and flavors. Yield 6.2 tons/ha. A 48-hour cold maceration period was given before fermentation to extract color and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by doing manual punch-downs 3 times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. MLF took place in barrels. Matured for 22 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels. A total of 40% new, 30% 2nd fill, and 30% 3rd fill barrels were used for aging.
Winemaker
Name: Pierre Wahl
Winery
Rijk's is situated in the small town of Tulbagh, 120km northeast of Cape Town and 90km east of the Atlantic coast in a Mediterranean climate area. From the year 1751 up to 1771 Rijk Tulbagh was the Governor of the Cape. Not only it was the town named after him, but also the Rijk's brand in his honor. In the year 1969, a devastating earthquake destroys the town of Tulbagh.
Lover of good food and collector of good wines, Neville Dorrington had been working in Cape Town for more than 20 years. In 1996 Neville and his family decided to move to the countryside and grow and produce their own wine. They fell in love with the Tulbagh valley and came across 137 hectares of virgin soils that was never cultivated. The slopes faced north, south, east and west and the analysis of the vertical shale soils revealed the potential for low yielding, high-quality grapes. The offer to purchase was accepted, and the Rijks farm was found. They did it all from scratch, 14 Hectares of vines were planted, and the following year a further 12 hectares. They decided to plant many different cultivars - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage to see what best suited their climate. The new cellar was designed by legendary winemaker Gunter Brozel, who had retired from Nederburg after 33 years and opened on time.
After 12 years, they had learned about the natural environment and the characteristic taste and flavors of the wines they produced. They decided to concentrate on the cultivars best suited to their farm and soil - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz. The farm produces unique older vintage wine from low yielding shale soils that have satisfied wine enthusiasts from around the world.
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