WARWICK Wine Estate has welcomed the Professor Black II Pitch Black to its celebrated portfolio of wines. This exquisite red blend is inspired by the wines that come from the Simonsberg region, where in the middle of the previous century it was a common practice to blend classic Bordeaux varieties with Cinsault.
The Professor Black II Pitch Black is made up of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cinsault, 10% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. 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 18 months, with 20% new wood. The Cinsault was fermented whole bunch and aged in stainless steel tanks, with blending and a light filtration taking place before bottling in October 2019.
JD Pretorius, cellarmaster at Warwick, says the wine fills the glass with hints of dark berries, wild strawberries, violets, and herbs. “The palate of our new Professor Black II Pitch Black is rich and textured with fine-grained tannins and a bright and piercing freshness, delivered by the unwooded Cinsault component. The finish is dark and broody with concentration and a lingering aftertaste.
“The new addition is definitely a crowd-pleaser – it’s suitable for any occasion and will delight a range of tastes and preferences,” says Pretorius. “We are excited to be presenting this blend with a new fresh palate that is perfectly balanced and shows the impressive concentration of flavour.”
Photo by Cornelius Muller (MULLERFOTO.COM)
Tom Orpen, Sales & Marketing Manager at Warwick, says he’s particularly proud to be introducing a new wine straight out of a period of hardship for the South African wine industry. “It’s the beginning of a brand new chapter for us at Warwick. We’ve managed to withstand an incredibly challenging period, not only for Warwick but the South African wine industry as a whole, and we’re ecstatic to be open for business once again!”
Professor Black II Pitch Black is beautifully presented and is available at selected retails stores and via the estate’s online store.