Rijks Touch Pinotage 2021

From one of the very best producers of Pinotage in the World, the concentrated vintage led to producing a Pinotage with a vibrant dark red colour. Aromas of beautiful red fruit with predominant cherry nuances and whiffs of early morning Cape Fynbos on the nose. These diverse aromas carry through onto a rich, velvety and complex palate supported by layers of well-rounded tannins. Gentle presence of oak on nose and palate supports this well poised wine.

Grape 
Grapes for this 100% Pinotage were from vines planted on low yielding well drained vertical shale/schist. Grapes were night harvested by hand. In the cellar a 48-hour cold maceration period was given prior to fermentation to extract colour and fruit. Extraction during fermentation took place by pumping the juice over the skins three times per day. Skins were gently pressed before fermented dry. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrels. The wine was matured for 18 months in 30% second fill, 50% third fill and 20% fourth fill French oak barrels.

The Estate
Rijk’s is situated in the small town of Tulbach, 120km north east of Cape Town and 90km east of the Atlantic coast in a Mediterranean climate area. This historic town has at least 32 national monuments and the valley is surrounded by the Winterhoek, Obiqua and Witzenberg mountains, often snow-capped in winter. Very dry summers with fresh south easterly winds keep vineyards healthy and disease free while the surrounding mountains ensure cool summer nights.
Lover of good food and collector of good wines, Neville Dorrington had been working in Cape Town for more than 20 years and in 1996 he and his family decided to move to the countryside and grow and produce their own wine. They found 137 of soil that had never been cultivated in the Tulbagh Valley and the Rijks farm was founded.

Alcohol: 14.4% vol