Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2021
Wine facts | |
| Style | Medium bodied, quite soft, smooth, easy drinking, fruity. Best with food. |
| Grape | 100% Pinotage. |
| Country | South Africa |
| Alcohol | 14%. |
| Food | Chicken or beef stews, fish curry, pulled pork, smoked duck, lasagne, |
| Vegan | Vegan Friendly. |
| Awards | Vintage 2018: 2022 Platter’s Guide – 4.5 Stars (94pts) 2022 Gilbert Gaillard – Double Gold (92pts) 2021 Veritas – Gold 2021 Michelangelo – Double Gold 2021 Tim Atkin 92pts |
£33.90
Other Details
Vineyards
This wine is made from a small, site specific vineyard, planted in clay soil. The vigour of the vineyard is relatively poor and the vines are very shy yielding. This allows for tiny berries with concentrated flavour. The North-South orientation of the block means that the grapes are well exposed to morning and late afternoon sunshine, which is perfect for intense colour and aromatic development.
Vinification
The grapes are hand-picked in early February with a ripeness of 25 Balling. Each bunch is pre-chilled before being destemmed and berry sorted. The berries are not crushed, but are fermented whole. This allows for a gradual extraction of tannins and colour, which promotes finesse, balance and longevity. The berries are fermented in open top fermenters, which provide easy access for the winemaker to assess and manipulate the fermentation. The wine is punched down (mixed) rigorously for 5 days until just before dry and then basket pressed directly to second fill, 300L American oak barrels.
Malo-lactic fermentation takes place in barrel, which promotes harmony and seamless integration of the oak flavours The wine is further matured on the yeast and malo-lactic lees for 14 months. At this point the finest 5 barrels are selected, blended and returned to barrel for an additional 8 months. Finaly, the wine is kept for 4 months in a stainless steel tank to promote stability and clarification, before it is bottled and laid to rest for a full year before it is released.
Tasting Note
Bowwood Pinotage 2015 has a very deep red/purple colour. It has a mildly savoury nose with nuances of softly roasted black olives, wild honeyed fynbos, bold red berry fruit, spicy coconut, dark plums and vanilla. The palate is pure and rich with great fruit intensity, vibrant acidity and abundant finely textured tannin. A full flavoured modern wine with international finesse.
AWARDS
Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2016
Platter's Wine Guide 2021 4 Stars,
ABSA 2019 Pinotage Top 10
Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2015
Platter's Wine Guide 2019 4.5 Stars,
Michelangelo Awards 2018 Top Scoring Pinotage,
James Suckling SA Report 2018 90 Points,
Neal Martin SA Report 2018 88 Points,
Veritas Awards 2018 Gold
Vondeling Bowwood Pinotage 2014
Platter's Wine Guide 2017 4.5 Stars,
Michelangelo Awards 2017 Gold
2018 Vintage : Platter Guide 4.5 Stars 2016 Vintage: 2021 Platters Guide 4.5 Stars, ABSA Pinotage Top 10