Saxenburg Private Collection Pinotage 2011
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Saxenburg was acquired in 1989 by Adrian Bührer who, together with his wife Birgit and their young family, has revived the proud family tradition of Saxenburg’s historic past, ensuring that Saxenburg will continue to grow and develop in the future years.
Situated on the hills above Kuilsriver between the two oceans, the vineyards enjoy ideal soil and climatic conditions and cool breezes from False Bay during the summer months. The winemaker and vineyard staff work closely with nature and share a sense of achievement when producing only the finest.
Nico van der Merwe, Saxenburg’s wine-maker, became the South African Champion Winemaker of 1991, and his expertise and dedication assures the continued quality of Saxenburg wines. Nico feels that there must be real harmony between the grapes and the wine, and his control of the vineyard and wine cellar, combined with the sharing of his knowledge and skills with his staff, enables Saxenburg to produce wines of exceptional quality.
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.
South Africa’s most famous wine-producing district, Stellenbosch, surrounds the historic town with the same name; fine winemaking here dates back to the late 1600s. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering blue-grey mountains of Stellenbosch, Simonsberg and Helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. The climate is warm Mediterranean, tempered by the cool Atlantic air of nearby False Bay.
Perhaps most well-known for its Pinotage and Bordeaux blends, Stellenbosch also produces noteworthy wines from Syrah, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. The district’s wards—Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch—all produce distinctive wines from vines with relatively low yields.