Pinotage, Swartland, 2022

A Pinotage quite unlike all others, the 2022 is fruit forward and clear-cut, with red plummy notes, ripe brambly aromas and even a hint of wild strawberry. Produced in the gentlest way possible from an old 1973 planted vineyard on 100% decomposed granite soils. 90% of the site is (cool) south facing and 10% is on a higher rockier ridge, where exposure to the wind means smaller berries. Jolandie employs a three day cold soak to extract the sweetest fruit. Fermentation is spontaneous and just one punch down a day by traditional, gentle foot stomping is carried out. Cuvaison is short: just two weeks on skins. 15% whole cluster and 85% whole berries.