Product Description
Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Varieties
100% Pinotage
The Vineyard
AGE OF VINES 32 to 66 year old bush vines
IRRIGATION None – dry land vineyards
SOIL TYPE Decomposed Granite and Hutton
YIELD 5 tons per hectare
The Harvest
The carry-over effect of the previous three year’s drought was still visible in this vintage, despite the higher rainfall during the season, and it delivered a smaller crop, but of high quality. Despite the relative low water stress, the cool weather contributed to smaller berries, and less irrigation was needed in this growing season.
The Cellar
Fermented in open top concrete fermenters at 280C. The floating skins were punched down by hand, every 2 hours during fermentation. The juice was drawn off the skins after 3 days. After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured for 16 months in 80% new and 20% second fill 225L French Nevers
oak barrels.
WINEMAKER Abrie Beeslaar
PRODUCTION VOLUME 12 000 cases (6 x 750ml)
ALC 14.95%
RS 2.5 g/l
TA 5.3 g/l
pH 3.87
FREE SO2 45 mg/l
TOTAL SO2 93 mg/l
VA 0.65 g/l
Aging Potential
10 to 15 years from vintage.
Awards
2018 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Neal Martin – 93 points
Jancis Robinson: 17/20 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
Drink’s International 2020 Most Admired Wine
Brand in Africa & the Middle East
2017 Christian Eedes – 93 points
Neal Martin – 91 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2016 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
James Suckling – 93 points
Christian Eedes: 92 points
Neal Martin – 91 points
Wine Advocate – 90+ points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2015 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Christian Eedes: 93 points
Jancis Robinson: 17/20 points
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2014 Tim Atkin MW – 93 points
Stephen Tanzer – 91 points
Wine Spectator – 91 points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2013 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Stephen Tanzer – 91+ points
Wine Spectator – 91 points
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2012 Tim Atkin MW – 94 points
Wine Spectator – 92 points
Stephen Tanzer – 92 points
Wine Advocate – 91 points
IWSC – Gold Outstanding
IWSC – Abraham Perold Trophy for Best
Pinotage
Veritas – Double Gold
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2011 Wine Advocate – 91 points
Wine Spectator – 90 points
Veritas – Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2010 Stephen Tanzer – 93 points
Wine Spectator – 90 points
Veritas – Double Gold
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 5*
2009 Wine Spectator – 91 points
Wine Enthusiast – 90 points
Wine Advocate – 90 points
IWSC – Gold
Veritas – Double Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2008 Stephen Tanzer – 92 points
Wine Spectator – 91 points
Veritas – Double Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4*
2007 Veritas – Double Gold
Platter’s Guide – 4*
2006 Christian Eedes: 92 points
Veritas – Double Gold
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2005 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
Platter’s Guide – 4.5*
2004 IWSC – Gold
Veritas – Double Gold
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2003 Christian Eedes: 91 points
Basel Wine Fair – Gold
ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2002 John Platter Guide – 4*
2001 John Platter Guide – 4.5*
2000 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage – Top 10 Award
John Platter Guide – 4.5*
