Top 10 award highlights L’Avenir’s Pinotage leadership
The 2020 L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage was selected as a winner at the 2023 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards. This competition was established in 1997 and recognises the finest expressions of this quintessentially South African variety.
It is the 10th time that L’Avenir was selected for this award, supporting this Stellenbosch specialist’s pursuit of Pinotage mastery through single vineyards expressions of the variety. “We are steadily elevating the Pinotage vocabulary to that of fine wine. This is done through a new generation of Pinotage producers that are expressing unique sites and specialising in this varietal. As a young varietal in global terms, Pinotage is now shifting from discussions about oak, extraction and alcohol to the varietals expression in different soil types, often with much less intervention and oak. It’s really an exciting phase for Pinotage!” explains winemaker Dirk Coetzee.
Block Number Two, the vineyard from which the L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage is produced, was planted in 1994 and was soon identified as the finest Pinotage site at the Estate. The first single vineyard wine from this vineyard was produced in 2008. “The Glenrosa weathered shale type distinguishes L’Avenir’s Pinotage. There’s not a lot of weathered shale in Stellenbosch and the combination of weathered shale and elevation results in extraordinary fruit intensity. This is specifically pronounced in Block Two, which is what we capture with the Single Block Pinotage.”
Known for its precision, cool aromatics, intense black fruit and chalky, mineral tannins, L’Avenir’s Single Block Pinotage has gained a loyal international following. The vineyard was planted at the highest point on L’Avenir Estate in 1994. The combination of a cool mesoclimate, the Glenrosa soil and older vines, results in an inimitable, extraordinary expression of Pinotage.
“In the cellar we simply aim to express the fruit intensity and purity that we get from the vineyard. This means light pump-overs and gentle extraction. The berries are remarkably small, with quite thick skins and the wine will naturally have a deep garnet colour and smooth, supple tannins,” explains Dirk. The 2020 vintage spent 18 months in first and second fill French oak barrels.
Each bottle is individually numbered and the Single Block Pinotage 2022 is available on allocation.
Shop the Single Block Pinotage 2020 HERE>>
About L’Avenir Wine Estate
L’Avenir is a leading Stellenbosch boutique winery that specialises in South Africa’s emblematic varietals: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. Situated four kilometres from Stellenbosch on the lower slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, the Estate is right in the heart of South Africa’s most revered wine region.
For more information contact Dr Edo Heyns – Advini South Africa Strategic Development Director: Edo.heyns@advinisa.co.za
