The Winery of Good Hope Empire is based about 30 miles east of Cape Town in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, one of the most important wine producing areas in the Western Cape province. Here the vines are grown on well drained alluvial soils on hilly terrain with most vineyards lying at an elevation of about 100 metres in a sheltered valley. The vines also benefit from a Mediterranean climate with warm and dry growing seasons that are favourable in the production of high quality wines. This spicy and approachable Pinotage is from 30 year-old vines situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain and is from low yields. The grapes are hand-picked and immediately transferred to the winery only 200 metres away. After a relatively short fermentation period of a week (in order to retain the juice's underlying spicy minerality), the wine is then matured in stainless steel tanks before bottling without fining.
A vibrant cherry-red in colour. Scents of prunes, vanilla and a touch of coffee. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy acidity. Notes of cherries, violets and sweet spices. The finish is lingering with a pronounced minerality. Try slightly chilled by itself.
