The Story — South Africa’s Signature Grape, Reserved
Pinotage is South Africa’s gift to the world of wine — a variety created right here in the Cape, crossed from Pinot Noir and Cinsault and first commercialised on these soils. No other country has it. No other country could make it quite like this.
This Reserve is the finest expression we could source: fruit drawn from three acclaimed growing regions and carefully vinified by a winemaker whose Pinotage is among the most refined in the Cape. It’s unlabelled at our request, so you get access to genuinely Reserve-level quality at an honest XCellar price.
Vintage & Terroir — Darling, Stellenbosch & Wellington, 2021
The fruit for this Reserve is drawn from three distinct Western Cape growing regions, each contributing something different: the coastal cool of Darling for freshness and aromatic lift; the granite-rich hillsides of Stellenbosch for structure and depth; and the warmth of Wellington for generous, ripe dark fruit. The 2021 vintage was excellent for Pinotage — a long, even season that built concentration without sacrificing the variety’s characteristic accessibility.
In the Cellar
This is not everyday Pinotage. Three-stage fruit selection — in the vineyard, at the sorting table, and berry by berry — ensures only the finest fruit enters the cellar. Cold maceration precedes careful fermentation, with pressing timed to avoid harsh tannins. Malolactic fermentation follows in barrel. The wine then spends 18 months in oak — 35% new, a blend of French and American barrels — building the textural richness and gentle spice that elevate this from a table wine to a Reserve.
Tasting Notes
Look: Deep ruby-garnet with excellent concentration and a clean, clear rim.
Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry and ripe plum fill the glass, with layered notes of marzipan, fruitcake spice and integrated oak. Generous and complex — the nose of a serious Reserve.
Palate: Intense concentration of dark fruit combines with sweet oak and silky, smooth tannins. Full-bodied and refined — that Pinotage warmth and richness, elevated by exceptional winemaking and extended oak ageing.
Finish: Long and elegant, with lingering dark fruit and a gentle spice that fades slowly. Exceptional length for a wine at this price point.
Food Pairing
Pinotage was built for South African food. Serve this Reserve alongside slow-roasted leg of lamb, venison or game stews, Cape Malay lamb curry, or a rich beef potjie. The wine’s warmth and structure also make it an outstanding companion for mature cheddar or aged gouda. Can be enjoyed now or cellared for a further three to five years.
Technical Details
- Variety: Pinotage (100%)
- Vintage: 2021
- Region: Western Cape (Darling, Stellenbosch, Wellington)
- Maturation: 18 months in barrel (35% new oak, French and American)
- Format: 750ml bottle, 6 bottles per case
Our Guarantee
Every XCellar Limited Edition bottle comes with our 100% happiness guarantee. If this wine isn’t exactly what you were hoping for, let us know and we’ll make it right — no questions asked. That’s the XCellar promise.
