Warwick Pinotage Old Bush Vines Stellenbosch, 2018

Pinotage is a specialty of South Africa – I cannot recall ever having tasted this grape variety grown anywhere, else although I know a small number of hectares are planted in other areas of the world. Bred in the 1920s at Stellenbosch University, it is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. The first commercial planting was in the 1940s, but the Pinotage Association was only established in the mid 90s. Today it represents about 16% of black grape vineyards planted in South Africa. Warwick’s Pinotage is made from grapes grown on old bush vines. It has aromas of red berries, raspberries and cherries. Red fruit flavours continue on the palate with some bitter chocolate characters, adding length. A medium bodied and succulent wine.