Decanter's Top Red Varietal is Pinotage

Last night Decanter magazine announced the International Trophy Winners of the Decanter World Wine Awards competition.

Trophy for Red Single Varietal over £10 was awarded to Bellingham 'The Bernard Series', Bush Vine Pinotage 2010.

The judges comments were:

Pepper, fynbos aromas with a violet and cocoa whiff. Pure dark cherry and plum with good ripeness, slightly herby and meaty on a concentrated inky character. Gorgeous wine - keeps on giving .

The Wine of Origin is Coastal as the grapes came from two vineyards, one in Bottelary, Stellenbosch  and the other in Darling, Swartland.

“In many ways, these two distinct vineyards offer glimpses into the parentage of Pinotage, with the grapes from Darling showing almost Cinsaut biased characters whilst the Bottelary vineyards have a Pinot Noir edge,” says winemaker Niël Groenwald. “The soils are predominantly weathered granite and Malmesbury shale, with the youngest vines being 20 years old. This combination in relation to the two climates afforded low yields, excellent concentration and amazing character in the 2010 vintage.” 

Congratulations to Niël and his team and all at Bellingham. 

It is great to see Pinotage win against the best red wines of the world!

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