Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2018

Simonsig Wine Estate is one of the premier Wine Estates in the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation. The late owner Frans Malan launched his first wine, a Pinotage in 1970. Now his sons, Francois, the Vineyardist and Johan the Production Director make 2 Pinotages, and this one, the Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2018, part of the Malan Family Selection, has the university education. A single red-soiled vineyard wine, full bodied and excellent oak application.

The Malan Family, own and manage Simonsig Wine Estate
Michael, Christelle & Francois-Jacques at back, Francois & Johan at front

Interesting vinification. Once in the cellar, the grapes were destalked and crushed into open top fermenters. 20% of the grapes were fermented as whole bunches. Manual punch downs took place to ensure good extraction of colour, flavours and soft tannins. Pressed after 6 days, the alcoholic fermentation and the malolactic took place in the tank. The wine was then racked into 100% new French Oak for a 15 month maturation before being prepared for bottling,

A generosity of Pinotage ripening on the vine

Pour
From a Burgundy shaped bottle closed with natural cork. The livery is simple and elegant as befits a fine wine like this. In the glass, the wine is a deep dark plum at the centre which pales out to ruby at the edges. The aromas are a mélange of what I call country lane fruits. Brambles, mulberries and fraises des bois, the little wild strawberry. These segue onto the palate where they are joined by blackcurrants and strawberries. The wine has the restrained power of a race horse, an elegant beautiful thing.

Dianne Bibby’s Red Wine Lamb Shanks

Pair
The Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2018 is an elegant sipper and perfect as that after dinner wine to drink with some shards of black chocolate. It is a great food partner and Dianne Bibby’s Red Wine Lamb Shanks make for a perfect marriage. Click HERE for her recipe.