Home / Schalk Burger / Welbedacht Pinotage 2011
Welbedacht Pinotage 2011
- Volume
- 750ml
- Vintage
- 2023
- ABV
- 14.3%
£20.50
Member Price: £16.40
1989 VINES · 100% PINOTAGE · 94/100
From a 1989 block of vines planted on granite at Schalk Burger's Welbedacht Estate in Wellington comes this elegant yet generous expression of South Africa's signature grape. Carefully made through multiple fermentations and matured in old oak, it delivers beautifully pure red and dark fruit, subtle spice and fine-grained tannins, balancing richness with freshness. With 94 points from Greg Sherwood MW, this is Pinotage that demonstrates just how refined and sophisticated the variety can be in the hands of a thoughtful winemaker.
A Pinotage that showcases just how refined South Africa's signature grape can be.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance
- Deep ruby red with rich colour and youthful concentration.
- Nose
- Fresh and expressive, with red cherry, raspberry and bramble fruit, complemented by fynbos, subtle leather and delicate vanilla and herbal spice.
- Palate
- Fleshy and generous, with layers of dark cherry and sweet black plum balanced by succulent acidity, fine-grained tannins and a subtle earthy, spicy complexity.
- Finish
- Long, persistent and beautifully fresh, with ripe dark fruit, subtle spice and soft, polished tannins.
Perfect For
- Suggested Dishes
- Wonderful with a South African braai, slow-roasted beef or venison, where the wine's generous fruit and savoury depth can really shine.
- Suggested Occasions
- A characterful red for relaxed dinners, weekend gatherings or whenever you want to introduce someone to a more refined side of Pinotage.
- Suggested Sporting Occasions
- Made for a South African braai after the match, a rugby dinner or settling in for a big sporting weekend with a proper Cape red.
Details
- Style
- Premium Pinotage
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Wellington
- Appellation
- Western Cape
- Producer
- Schalk Burger & Sons
- Vineyard
- Welbedacht Wine Estate, 1989 block, granite soils
- Grape Variety
- 100% Pinotage
- Closure
- Cork
- Drinking Window
- Drink now – approximately 2033
- Serving Temp
- 16–18°C
- Decanting Advice
- Optional; give 30 minutes in the glass or decant if drinking young
- Cellaring Potential
- 8–10 years
- Oak/Cask Ageing
- Matured in old oak
Awards & Medals
94/100 – Greg Sherwood MW 91/100 – Christian Eedes, Winemag
“If you think you don't like Pinotage, try this. It's rich and full of character but beautifully fresh and balanced — a seriously impressive South African red. I'm obsessed.” - Rachel H
Greg Sherwood MW — 94/100
Greg describes the 2023 as showing red cherry, toasted macaroon, bramble, leather and red plum jelly, with vanilla-herbal spice. On the palate he highlights its depth of dark cherry and sweet black plum, soft fine-grained tannins and succulent acidity. He calls it “a delightful Pinotage from the vintage” and recommends drinking it on release and over the following 8–10 years. Christian Eedes — 91/100
Winemag's Christian Eedes highlights the wine's red cherry, raspberry and fynbos character, pure ripe fruit, zippy acidity and fine tannins. He particularly notes that the wine is well balanced and admirably not overworked, with no overt oak influence despite its 14.32% alcohol.