Bellingham The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2022

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. The South African Bellingham estate has a very long history. It was founded in 1693 by French-Dutch immigrants and, after passing through several owners over the centuries, it was bought and restored by the Podlashuk couple in 1943. The company is still today considered one of the most important in the country thanks to the pioneering spirit of its founder who managed to create excellent innovative wines. The grapes for this elegant Pinotage come from low-yielding bush-trained vines approximately 20 years old, planted on decayed granite soils. The harvest is manual and the fermentation takes place in open-air French oak vats. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for one year in French oak barrels. The wine has a deep color with plum tones and violet hues on the edges. The nose reveals intense aromas of red berries, cherries, and raspberry jam with a slightly spicy finish. On the palate, the wine is generous and dense with a large concentration of wild berries. The tannins are silky and well-balanced by a harmonious acid vein. The delicate notes of sweet spices, due to the aging in barrique, return on the finish. With food it is a very versatile wine: it goes well with some spicy recipes of the South African tradition, with polenta with sausages, and also with grilled Chorizo.