Brick Road Pinotage

This wine is made from Pinotage, a grape that is unique to South Africa and is derived from the noble Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (formerly called Hermitage) varieties.

The Pinotage vines on Middelvlei were planted in 1962, 1979 and 1997 and cover 23,9 ha. The vineyards face west and are situated at an altitude of 160 m above sea-level. The vines, grown as bush vines, are severely pruned to inhibit their prolific growth.

The conditions for the healthy growth and ripening of the grapes during the growing season (September – December) were ideal. The rainfall during the winter before the vintage, as well as the growing season, was average. The annual rainfall was 660mm for the 2006/2007 season compared to the long-term annual rainfall of 700mm.

Harvesting took place in February 2007 at an average sugar level of 24 º Balling. In the cellar the juice was fermented on the skins for 4 days in open cement tanks at 24 ºC. It was racked off the skins at 3,5 º Balling and then underwent secondary malolactic fermentation, which was completed on 15 April 2007.

Winemaker’s comments
This light, unwooded wine is suitable for early drinking. With its sweet fruit flavours of raspberry and mulberry, this wine can be enjoyed with red meat dishes and is equally enjoyable on its own.

Analysis
Alcohol: 13 vol %
Acidity: 5.00
Residual sugar: 4,4 g/l
pH: 3,83 g/l

Date bottled: 7 June 2007.

Winemaker: Tinnie Momberg

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