WARWICK PROFESSOR BLACK PITCH BLACK 2020

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Many folk may not know that, in the 1970s, South Africa produced world famous red blends comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault, which combined the finesse of Cinsault with the power of Cab. The Pitch Black blend is our #retro tribute to this Golden Age.

Deep purple in colour, the nose is dark and inviting, with notes of spice and dried herbs, followed by purple flowers and a hint of cedar and cigar box. The palate is lush and smooth, with hints of blackcurrant, cassis, aniseed, coffee beans, and cedarwood. Finely packed tannins and fresh acidity makes this an ideal wine to mature and will reward careful cellaring over the next three to five years.

A Classical blend inspired by the wines that came from the Simonsberg in the middle of the previous century. Traditional Bordeaux varieties mixed with Cinsault, as was the norm more than 50 years ago. All the varieties besides the Cinsault are de-stemmed and fermented on the skins for 2-3 weeks before pressing and ageing in small French oak barrels for a period 16 months, 16% new, 19% second fill and 65% third fill. The Cinsault was fermented whole bunch and aged in stainless steel tanks (unwooded). Blending and a light filtration took place before bottling in September 2021."

91/100 Jesica Vargas, Wine Enthusiast, January 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"This smooth blend was made with 39% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cinsault and a splash of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It has a subtle nose of baking spices and red fruit that introduces a palate with black fruit flavors, followed by eucalyptus and cardamon."