Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2016
Overview
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Full-bodied, wood-matured Pinotage from a dedicated vineyard site. An inky black center with a black rim. Attractive black berry and bramble flavors with a tobacco, spice twist. Vivacious layers of dark fruit and cedar oak coats the palate. The wine is full yet elegant, with lush textures and a lingering finish. While approachable now, the gentle, tightly-knitted tannins provide the structure to age further for 6-8 years in the bottle. |
Wine Facts
2016 was a challenging, early, and very dry harvest. However, the dry conditions led to very healthy grapes. Redhill Pinotage is a selection of the best new oak- matured wine from the famous red hills of the Simonsig Estate. The red soil originates from decomposed shale and granite and is considered to be the best soil for growing premium red wines because of good drainage and moisture retention capacity. Simonsig uses traditional open-top fermenters called “kuipe” with manual punching of the cap every two to three hours to give ample extraction of fruit and color. Fermentation temperatures peaked at 82.4° F with a gentle pressing after 6 days on the skins. Malolactic fermentation occurred in the tanks. The wine was matured 15 months in 79% French oak and 21% American white oak (80% new oak, 20% 2nd fill). The wine received four rackings before bottling.
Interesting Fact
The first red wine released by Simonsig in 1970 was a Pinotage - a “viticultural cross” of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, created in 1924 at Stellenbosch University. The aim of this Pinotage is to accentuate the ripe plum and raspberry fruitiness of the Pinotage grape.
Serving Hints
While approachable now, the gentle, tightly-knitted tannins provide the structure to age further for 6-8 years in the bottle. Great for hearty meat dishes like slow-roasted belly of pork or roasted rack of lamb, as well as seared tuna, or crispy duck salad with hazelnut praline.
Region: Stellenbosch
Country: South Africa
Wine Composition: 100% Pinotage
Alcohol: 15.1 %
Residual Sugar: 2.9 G/L
Acidity: 6.5 G/L
pH: 3.25
Press Highlights
2015: 91 Pts - James Suckling, June 2018
2013: 92 Pts “Best of the Year 2016’ - ‘Editor’s Choice’ Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2016
2013: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate, Apr 2018
2012: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2016
2011: 92 Pts 'Editor's Choice' - Wine Enthusiast, Mar. 2014
2011: 91 Pts - Wine Advocate #215, Oct. 2014
2010: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Mar. 2014
2010: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate #209, Oct. 2013
2009 - 92 Pts 'Cellar Selection' Wine Enthusiast, May 2013
2008: 91 Pts - The International Wine Review 'The Wines of South Africa', Feb. 2012
2006: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 2008