Warwick, “The First Lady” Pinotage, Western Cape WO

Built in 1791 under the name ‘Good Success’, the estate was re – named to ‘Warwick’ by Colonel Gordon in 1902 as a tribute to his regiment. The First Lady Pinotage is a light and lively wine that isn’t shy of a bit of spice. In that sense, it’s not unlike our legendary First Lady, Norma Ratcliffe, who became the first woman to serve as Chairperson for the prestigious Cape Winemakers’ Guild.

The Warwick harvest team pick the Pinotage fairly ripe, giving lashings of rich black cherries and ripe strawberry elements, as well as those tell-tale cured meat aromas that Pinotage delivers. The grapes spend as long as two weeks on skins, lending the wine a spectacular crimson colour, as well as some powdery tannins. The wine goes through malolactic conversion, adding a velvety texture, and hints of milk chocolate. Finally, all components are aged in oak, adding a silky finish with hints of spice.