Description
The iconic Fleur Du Cap wines launched in 1968 with wines cellared in Die Bergkelder, the famous mountain cellar built deep into the Papegaaiberg in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Bush-vined and trellised Pinotage grapes from the nearby Bottelary Hills are used to create this intense but elegant Pinotage in Fleur Du Cap’s Essence range. True to the name of the line, the wine expresses varietal character artfully coaxed from the vineyard’s vines as well as the grapes – from hang to harvest and on through processing, fermentation and the wine’s maturation.
Rich red color meets the eye while complex aromas of dark fruits, oak and spice create an alluring lead-in to FDC’s Essence Du Cap Pinotage 2017. The wine lands medium/full on the palate and immediately invites comparison to fine French wines in style and sensibility, with the added twist of authentic but finessed Pinotage varietal character. Bright acidity in the cradle of structured tannins creates a wine that can enhance any food pairing, from starters like rustic grilled bread with tapas or cheese and charcuterie, to mains like grilled Peri Peri prawns, pasta dishes, lamb curry or bobotie and on through to desserts like of dense, dark chocolate torte with berry compote or pear & gorgonzola tart.
Key take-aways: Creative; daring; well-planned & executed; European style with a purely South African stamp; food-pairing strengths, with a balance of aroma, tannin, acidity, mouthfeel, complex flavors and lingering finish.
