2017 was a cool dry year with long winter nights. This ensured a longer ripening which adds to the minerality and finesse to this vintage. The drought caused the vine to push its roots deeper in search for water which will be an overall benefit to the future.
The Lady M 2018 was selected from a very specific part of the Pinotage vineyard. All grapes were hand-harvested at 25 Balling and destemmed but not crushed. The juice was cooled down to 14 degrees and cold-soaking took place for 5 days. Between one and two pump-overs a day was done, and the grapes were pressed at 5 Balling to reduce extraction of tannins and bitterness and resulted in a wine with intense fruit characteristics and an elegant structure.
This unwooded Pinotage offers an explosion of dark fruit aromas on the nose consisting of Blackcurrants, Blueberries and Dark cherries. The structure is elegant and shows class. A true ode to the iconic Pinotage variety which expresses the quality of the Aaldering terroir.
Ageing Potential: This wine is unwooded and should therefore be treated as a white wine. It will age well between 3-5 years from vintage and was bottled with natural cork to allow the wine to breath and develop over the next few years.
Culinary Recommendation: To serve 16 C - 18 C. Good match with smoked duck and pulled pork, or simply as an aperitif.
