Clos Malverne Pinotage 1999
Varietal: Pinotage
Vineyard: Clos Malverne
Region: South Africa, South Africa
VINIFICATION: The grapes are hand harvested at optimal ripeness, then destalked, crushed and fermented for 3 days on the skins in open fermenting tanks. The average fermentation temperature is 32 C. After fermentation the skins are pressed in traditional basket presses. The free run juice is then combined and malolactic fermentation takes place spontaneously in the tank. Thereafter the wine is racked and goes into 225l oak barrels (20% American and 80% French) for 4 months. After barrel maturation the wine is fined, filtered and bottled. TASTING NOTES: The wine has a dark plum colour. On the nose full ripe fruit with plums, berries, spices and wood flavours. A fruity wine with lingering fruit and a balanced tannin structure. Ready to drink now but can be aged for another 3 - 5 years
