Amandelboord Pinotage

Amandelboord Pinotage can be thoroughly enjoyed with sticky barbequed chicken wings, venison carpaccio with ample shavings of pecorino cheese and balsamic glaze and, surprisingly, fresh Asian dressed oysters.

A surprising, yet contradictory, growing season coming off the back of the severe heat and drought of 2017, the 2018 vintage experienced consistently hot and dry weather but no significant heat waves. The cold to moderate nights together with the much-needed light rain in early December resulted in disease-free grapes with excellent flavour concentration and acidity, delivering an approximate 15% increase in crop.

On completion of MLF, the wine was racked and transferred to 225 litre barrels to mature for 11 months in 20% new French Oak, 10% new American Oak, and 70% in a combination 2nd and 3d fill French and American Oak.

Grapes were hand-picked just before dawn, then crushed and open-fermented while undergoing pneumatic punch-downs four times a day. The wine was basket-pressed and transferred to tanks for malolactic fermentation.

De Grendel is a Durbanville wine estate where cool-climate vineyards and careful site selection shape a broad range of South African wines. Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and red blends, the estate combines coastal influence, varietal clarity and a strong sense of Cape Town wine country.