Maastricht - Pinotage 2017

Maastricht - Pinotage 2017 (86 TSW)
Dear winelovers. Are you a Pinotage lover?

Mabye you know already I live in the Netherlands near the city of Maastricht. This winery Maastricht owes its name to the first settlers who were looking for fertile land. Looking at the clay soils of the farm, they were reminded of the bottom of their hometown - Maastricht - hence the name. A document from the beginning of the 19th century shows that Maastricht is registered as one of the first nine wine producers. At the time, a minimum of 10,000 vines was required to be classified as a wine estate.

Today, the domain consists of around 100 hectares of vineyards including sauvignon blanc, pinotage and merlot. In 2010 and after many years of producing high-quality grapes for other estates, the Louw family, in collaboration with the Louw family in Diemersdal, decided to make their own wine label.

The clay-rich soils around the Tygerberg work like a sponge and collect water during the cold and wet winters in Cape Town. Maastricht is located close to the Atlantic Ocean. The cooling wind coming from the ocean provides a balanced microclimate, perfect for the viticulture of Maastricht wines.

The grapes are picked by hand, after which they are stalked and bruised in stainless steel fermenters, also known as the traditional open “tub”. After squeezing the juice, 15% of the juice is brought to the barrels for malolactic fermentation. The oak barrels are 60% French and 40% American, of which 40% consists of new wood. The wine ages 12 months before it is bottled.

About the wine:

In the glass a powerful and deep ruby red.
On the medium+ nose typical aromas of burnt rubber, red cherries, plums with hints of vanilla and chocolate.
On the palate dry, medium-bodied with round mouthfeel, medium acidity and easy tannins. I won’t buy a case of these wines but it is definitely worth a try.