Koen Roose of Spioenkop Wines makes one of the best examples of Pinotage in South Africa. The grapes for this Pinotage come from the Bottelary Hills ward of Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape. Pinotage, South Africa’s signature grape variety, is a crossing between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, (the latter was previously known as Hermitage in South Africa) from which it takes its name. Following fermentation, the grape-skins were slowly pressed in a stainless steel basket press. Natural malolactic conversion took place in selected barrels. The wine was barrel-aged for 10 months, 55% of which was new wood, and the wine was bottled without fining. The Spioenkop '1900' Pinotage is a fruit-driven style of wine, with a generous array of red cherry, violet, grenadine and strawberry underpinned by freshly picked black plum, graphite, black olives and spice. Elegant and smooth with a stony freshness and a satisfying, satin-textured finish.[#intro]A smooth, elegant & fruit driven Pinotage from one of the Cape's finest exponents...[/intro]