*MAN Family Bosstok Pinotage*

Description

Pinotage has a long history in South Africa. Originally developed in South Africa in 1924 by a Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University (the University's first professor of Viticulture). It was cultivated as a crossing between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Pinot Noir is notoriously hard to grow, and largely unsuccessful before this point in South Africa, as it did not thrive as it could in its homeland of Burgundy, in France. The crossing proved to be very successful, creating a grape that was very hardy and produced flavours of bramble, smoke, spice, and earthiness. It's usually a very dark, deep red in colour. The name itself stems from Cinsault being known locally in South Africa as "Hermitage". MAN Family Wines was a project that began by a group of three back in 2001. The desire was communal: to create decent wines for themselves, and their friends, who were also all in the wine industry. To create everyday wines for what they would define themselves as "wine geeks". They saw a niche in the South African market and started producing wines in an old tractor barn with second-hand wine-making equipment. With no vineyard holdings, the founders drove around and choose the best vineyards they could find and struck alliances with the farmers that are still in place today. This collaboration with the local growers has grown into some of them even becoming shareholders. The name "Bosstok" is about the untrellised bush-vine vineyards which are commonly found in the Agter-Paarl region. This type of growing concentrates the fruit flavours. The Bosstok is a medium-bodied wine that is modern in style. Plush tannins, silky acidity, and harmonized fruit flavours intermingle on the palate. Mocha, chocolate, and sweet spice, with ripe plums, dark berries, and hints of nutmeg. The mouthfeel has a nice density and fullness of flavour.

Pairing

Baked eggplant, wild mushroom risotto, and braised short ribs.