Wednesday, 22 September, 2004
Delani Latsky
Entertaining the palate with raspberry fruit flavours, this complex wine is firm yet fleshy on the palate and has a well-structured, long finish. GHW Pinotage, which has been produced and bottled under the Grangehurst label since 1992, has a reputation of being amongst the Cape's finest wines from this unique grape variety.
Although labelled and marketed as Pinotage, the 2000 vintage has 12% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The inclusion of a small percentage of Cabernet is a regular feature of the GHW Pinotage, and contributes to the structure and taste profile of the wine. The delectable flavours of this wine are due to many factors including the effect that the cool southerly sea breezes have on the vineyards situated within the Stellenbosch appellation, as well as the subtle oak influence from 14 months maturation in predominantly French and partly American oak barrels.
With the release of the wines from the new decade - in fact the new millenium - the label design of the '90's has been revised to provide a clearer, more concise presentation with the content simplified to reveal only the most significant information. More detailed information has been included on the back label. Although the new label has a modern approach, the elegant and classical appeal of the first generation Pinotage label has not been lost. The Pinotage's dashing new label incorporates a striking yet elegant combination of maroon on cream with silver foil and embossing. The 2000 vintage of the other two wines in the Grangehurst range viz. the Nikela and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, will be released towards the end of the year - also with the new-look labels.
Nikela - a Cape Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Merlot - was first produced in 1997 as a tribute to winemaker Jeremy Walker's late parents, Eddie and Betty, who contributed greatly to the establishment of Grangehurst. The 1999 vintage Nikela (an African word meaning to offer a gift, dedication or tribute to one's ancestors) is currently available. This is a classically styled red wine with great elegance, complex fruit aromas and flavours with hints of chocolate, mocha, fennel and cedar - a wine to be enjoyed with fine cuisine.
The Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend is the other member of the Grangehurst collection. This classical, claret styled wine is a blend of two of the most important Bordeaux grape varieties - in the case of the 1999 vintage 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot which were matured in French (78%) and American (22%) oak barrels for 21 months.
As with all the wines in the Grangehurst range, this wine was clarified using the natural settling and racking method and was only filtered once immediately prior to bottling. The 1999 vintage is a medium bodied, elegant wine with lovely blackcurrant fruit complemented by harmonious oaking.
Besides the Grangehurst collection wines, very limited quantities of reserve wines are produced for the annual Cape Winemakers Guild auction. Two Grangehurst wines will be on offer at the CWG auction on 2 October 2004 viz. the CWG Grangehurst 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and the CWG Grangehurst 2001 Auction Reserve (a Cape Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz).
For more information on these wines and the CWG Auction, contact:
Cape Winemakers Guild
Tel: 021 883-8625
Email: info@capewinemakersguild.com
Grangehurst Winery
Tel: 021 855-3625
Email: winery@grangehurst.co.za
ISSUED BY: Meier & McEwen Marketing & Media
ON BEHALF OF: Grangehurst Winery