Angus Paul Wines Transient Lands 2020

Transient Lands 2020

W.O. Western Cape. Pinotage.

For now, these lands host vineyards

This initial vintage uses two fantastically farmed Pinotage blocks: one in Stellenbosch, on Karibib farm, on the granitic Polkadraai Hills that face False Bay. And a block in Robertson, grown on shale derived clay soils. Both blocks are around 30 years old.

Grapes were hand picked, cooled overnight, partially foot trodden whole bunches and partial whole berries. Spontaneously fermented in concrete “kuipe”. With no sulphur, yeast, acid, enzymes or water added.

After ten days fermenting on the skin the wine was pressed to old oak barrels where it spent 11 months before bottling.

True to style this wine is seductively purple, neither light in colour nor broodingly deep.

On the nose there are upfront primary aromas of ripe red cherry, cranberry, strawberry blackcurrant and those little pink sweets we always bought at the kafie. With a subtle hint of liquorice overlaid by cream and just a touch of dried herbs and dead embers.

The palate is dry, medium bodied with refreshing acidity and satisfying dense, dusty tannin that gives way to flavours of red and black berries, dried herbs and long smooth finish of dark fruit freshly tilled earth.

This is a very good wine that can be drunk now but will benefit from upward of five years of careful cellaring. Serve in Rhone style glass 14℃ - 16℃ with intensely flavoured game dishes like gemsbok and date potjie.

-Tasted 21 April 2021 by Esme Groenewald