Stellenrust is one of the largest family-owned wine estates in South-Africa. They started their estate in 1928 and expended over the years. Nowadays, they have almost 400 hectares of land spread out over the 'Golden triangle' & Bottelary Hills. This sub-region is not only known because of its impressive landscape, but it is also the residence of the most famous wine producers of the country. The wine maker Tertius Boshoff highly values a fair-trade product. In 2005, they decided to give a little back to their 70 employees & gave them a permanent contract and empowered them on 100 hectares of their land, as main shareholders.
Wine Specifications:
Variety
100% Pinotage.
Nature of the Soils
The grapes for this wine are harvested from 48 year old vines located in the Bottelary property. The low yields increase fruit intensity and a depth of flavour. These old vine gems have slower ripening cycles and therefore they deliver more mature fruit and a chalky finish generated from a mix of granite and red clay soil.
Harvesting
The grapes for this amazing were picked between 24 & 25 degrees bailing.
Surface of the Vineyards
200 hectares (494 Acres).
Alcohol Percentage
14% Vol.
Vinification of the Wine
The grapes were crushed & allowed cold maceration for 24 till 48 hours. After this, the wine was inoculated with French yeast strains & fermented in open tanks with a manual punch down of the cap, every two hours for another four till five days. After this, the wine was drained from the skin & further fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. After the fermentation completed, the wine was matured in 100% French oak over a period of 18 till 22 months.
Tasting Notes
In the nose, this wine offers some raspberry, ripe peach and black cherry flavours with subtle oak nuances. In the mouth, there is a warm palate and a long sweet and sour finish with some acidity.
