One of the wines on auction at the online auction for the Care 4 Kings wine auction, is the Beyerskloof Winemaker’s Reserve Pinotage 2017.
This wine has an intense dark red middle and were fermented at a temperature between 25 – 27°C.
Pinotage vintage notes
“It is the second year running where we had a cool dry winter which meant not enough rain. We had less than 40% of our normal rainfall leading up to the harvest and the year before that we had 50% less. So, at the moment we have big drought issues.
“At least on the positive side, there was less wind for us in Nov/Dec. Also, fewer diseases/pests and growth vigour in the vineyards due to the dry weather. The climate factor that played probably the biggest role in making 2017 a great vintage was the cool nights during January/Feb/ march,” is reported.
Harvest started on 23 January with Pinotage as usual and was two days earlier than last year which means it was our earliest start yet on Beyerskloof. This continued until 8 March where we finished with Cabernet Sauvignon. In general, the grapes were healthy, berries were small and concentrated. On the total yield, we were still 20% down on our long-term average. Quality of the wines so far looks extremely good with rich dark colours and brilliant fruit on all the red cultivars. Also, analytically the wines look excellent. It a little early but I think this will be another vintage like 2009 or 2015 or maybe even better!
Wine making
Five days in open fermenters with the cap punched through by hand every two hours. Fermentation temperature was between After malolactic fermentation the wine matured in 80% new and 10% second/third fill barrels for 17 months.
About Care 4 Kings
Care 4 Kings is a fundraising initiative started by former Springbok rugby player, Braam van Straaten, to financially support the former Southern Kings rugby players and staff. This initiative began after 52 players and staff heard a few days before payday in October 2020 that no one is getting paid. The Kings was liquidated. This news left the players devastated as rugby were their source off income.
Follow their Facebook page: Care4Kings or Instagram @care4kings.
REGISTER FOR THE WINE AUCTION HERE.
Herewith the banking details for Care 4 Kings to back this initiative. This account is administered by Opus Accounting.
Care 4 Kings
FNB Cheque Account 62870068650
Branch code 231002
Proof of payment to: [email protected]
Reference: CARE4KINGS + YOUR NAME
