Intense bouquet. Rich, complex palate. Long, spicy finish.

Pinotage is South Africa's signature red grape variety, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage is 100% Pinotage. The grapes are harvested at night, hand-picked to preserve the freshness of the aromas, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 22 months in oak barrels. The result is a Pinotage lush on crushed blackberry, black cherry, plum and mocha. It's elegant, silky, harmonious, a little creamy, but the tannins are there to bring it all together, and finishes long on spicy notes.

Rijk's is located in the Tulbagh Valley, 120 km northeast of Cape Town. It's a family estate where good wine, good food, family and friends come together. Neville Dorrington founded the estate in 1996, and the first vintage was released in 2000. He also created a luxury hotel on the site. The head winemaker is Pierre Wahl, while Neville's children look after the business side and his wife Sonja runs the hotel. Concentrated on Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Syrah, the vineyards are deeply rooted on 26 hectares of schist-rich soils and enjoy a Mediterranean climate with cool summer winds. Rijk's provides an ideal environment for producing exceptional wines. The estate is also known for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly winemaking practices. The estate uses organic growing methods and constantly aims to minimize its ecological impact.