Kraal Bay Pinotage 2018

Kraal Bay Pinotage is a very well balanced and fruit heavy South African Pinotage, with initial aromas of red and dark berries, with  round tannins and a very smooth, long lasting finish.

Kraal Bay – named after the Kraalbaai area in Langebaan in the West Coast National Park, where the Pulprit Rock is also an iconic landmark. Besides being a site of spectacular scenic beauty on the coast of the Swartland wine region, Kraalbaai is famous for the discovery of “Eve’s footprint” – a fossilized set of 117,000 year old female footprints.

Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa’s signature variety. It was bred there in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut (Cinsaut was known as “Hermitage” in South Africa at that time, hence the portmanteau name). It typically produces deep red varietal wines with smoky, bramble and earthy flavors, sometimes with notes of bananas and tropical fruit.

“There’s a really good vibe in the Swartland because of all the young passionate winemakers, [who are] producing exciting wines,” says Jolandi Fouche, winemaker at Kloovenburg. Many of these winemakers are part of the Swartland Independent Producers, an organization founded in the Swartland that aims to bring together like-minded wine-growers under an umbrella of values such as: Wines must be grown entirely in the Swartland, and must be naturally produced. “The Swartland Independent was formed a few years ago, to promote this style of wines—more natural and honest wines without the heavy oaking and additives that can be found in some other areas,” says Schalk Opperman, winemaker at Lammershoek. – Mary Holland

A fantastic food wine, the Kraal Bay Pinotage is an excellent accompaniment to beef, game (deer and venison) and poultry.

Kraal Bay Pinotage – Hay Wines