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Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2015 Tasting Notes

Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2015

Appellation:
Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch.

Viticulture:
The Pinotage grapes for the Pionier Pinotage come from a 2.38 hectare single vineyard, 400 meters above sea level. In 2015 the age of the vines was 19 years and the crop yield was 6.48 tons/ha. All harvesting and pruning is done by hand to ensure there is no damage to the grapes.

Harvest date:
6 February 2015

Vinification:
After harvesting the hand-sorted grapes are de-stalked and and fermented on the skins for seven days in small stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeast is used for fermentation. The wine is pressed at 2° bailing and undergoes malolactic fermentation in new and second fill 225 litre and 300 litre French oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation it is racked and sulphured.
Following three months of resting in wood, it is racked again and matured in barrels for a further 18 months. The barrels are hand selected and blended to create this limited release of 4700 bottles.

Cellarmasters comments:
The Pionier Pinotage is a tribute to the world’s first bottle of Pinotage - a 1959 Lanzerac Pinotage. This wine delivers dense, concentrated fruit and layers of different flavours. Christmas spices of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon surround plums, prunes, berries and currants whilst the well-integrated oak and soft, silky tannins add backbone and length.

Cellaring potential:
Drink now to 2030

Food suggestions:
An elegant wine, with enough structure to enable it to last for at least a decade or more, it’s best paired with a red meat fillet with a red wine and cranberry jus.

Analysis:
Alcohol 14.5%
Total acidity 5.8g/l
Residual Sugar 2.9g/l
pH 3.55