Old Vine certified

PINOTAGE 2022

Wolf & Woman Pinotage is a blend of grapes from two different vineyards, both of which are situated in granite soil in the Paardeberg region. Dryland bush vines planted in 1973 yielded 90% of the grapes; the remaining 10% came from younger dryland bush vines that grow at 350m above sea level.

Two pickings were done from each vineyard, providing us with berries with varying characteristics. This, in turn, gave the final blend more character and depth. All of the grapes were hand-picked early in the morning, packed in crates, and rested in a cold room for 24 hours.

Bunch sorting was done the next day, after which the grapes were transferred to open-top fermenters – 15% whole bunch, and the rest destemmed and as whole berry. It cold-soaked here for 3 days before natural fermentation started, supported by one punch-down per day.

Once fermentation was completed, the wine was left on the skins for 10 days before pressing, and then transferred into a combination of old 300L and 500L barrels. The vintage was then allowed to mature for 10 months before it was racked, blended, and bottled.

Colour: Medium purple
Nose: Aromatics of bright red cherries, plum, dried herbs and spice
Palate: Vivid fruit, chalky structure with a balanced acidity
Composition: 100% Pinotage
Origin: Swartland
Vineyard: This wine is a blend of two different vineyards, both of them are dryland bush vines, which grow within decompose granite soils
Vine age: 49 & 23 years old
Yield: Average 5 tons/ha
Total production: 4500 bottles

ALCOHOL 12.7 % | PH 3.8

RESIDUAL SUGAR 1.1 g/L

TOTAL ACIDITY 5.1 g/L

TOTAL SULFUR DIOXIDE 60 mg/L

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“Right up there with my favourite South African Pinotages, this is a wine for lovers of red Burgundy on a budget. Fermented with 15% whole bunches, it’s overwhelmingly from a 1973 vineyard, but includes 10% younger material. Tangy, spicy and refreshing, with a lovely sense of energy and bramble, baking spice and wild strawberry flavours.”
95, Pinotage 2021, Tim Atkin MW South African 2022 Special Report
“Very fine and sappy with lovely green hints as well as juicy cherries and plums. Has chalky structure under the bright, vivid fruit. So expressive with real elegance, as well as plenty of flavour.”
95. Pinotage 2021, Jamie Goode MW

“Great to see Pinotage being taken seriously by a new-waver. Transparent crimson. Lifted cranberry nose that’s full of savour and character and seems on another planet from traditional Pinotage. Really juicy with raspberry fruit. With its crackling texture and fragrance, it almost reminds me of a Loire Cabernet Franc, even though there is no reason whatsoever why it should. Packed with flavour not alcohol. Well done! “

Jancis Robinson MW, Pinotage 2019

“Grown on decomposed granite – as Jolandie Fouché’s wines all seem to be – this comes from a dryland parcel planted in 1973. Gentle, subtle and nuanced with lots of raspberry and strawberry fruit, fresh acidity, lacy tannins and a stony finish.”
94, Pinotage 2020, Tim Atkin MW, South Africa 2021 Special Report
95, Pinotage 2020
Decanter Panel Tasting