From: The Printer’s Ink Pinotage is a tribute to the Meinert family’s heritage as printers and publishers in Namibia. Ex-journalist Martin Meinert and Brendan Butler make a small and personalised range of wines in limited quantities at the hillside Devon Crest vineyard outside Stellenbosch. Each wine is created with much thought and care to ensure uniqueness and individual character.

Vineyards: Old, unirrigated bushvines planted on deep, rich Hutton soils at 280m above sea level on south-facing slopes yield smaller volumes (5 – 6 tons/ha) of intensely concentrated fruit. The vineyard canopy is managed to ensure minimal direct sunlight exposure of the bunches and as such enhance the finer, elegant nuances of our Printer’s Ink Pinotage. Our unobstructed proximity to False Bay allows for cooling afternoon sea breezes which enable a slower ripening period and improved evolution of flavor in the bunches.

Blend: Pinotage (86.4%) with a dollop of Merlot (13.6%)

Winemaking: Cold maceration of 10 days at under 10ºC followed by a short hot fermentation (3 days) before pressing. About a third of the wine underwent carbonic maceration so as to enhance the finer nuances of our Pinotage. Bottled after 24 months in 225L 2nd 3rd and 4th fill French oak barrels.

Analysis:
Alcohol 14.51 vol%
Residual sugar 3.3 g/l
Total acidity 5.2 g/l
pH 3.46
Total extract 27.3 g/l

Comments: Medium structure with a rich, full-bodied yet elegant mid-palate and a clean fresh finish. Enjoy with ostrich tartare, venison kebabs on rooibos noodles and surprisingly, when slightly chilled, with sushi or seared tuna. Ageing potential: approximately 10 years.