Radford-Dale Frankenstein Pinotage

A juicy, fruity red from South Africa’s own grape creation: Pinotage. Organically grown old bush vines at the foot of Helderbeg Mountain. A concentrated wine with a fruity punch of raspberries, red cherries and a touch of smoke.

The estate is the brainchild of Aussie Ben Radford and Brit Alex Dale who crossed paths in Burgundy and later in South Africa. They eventually set up the Radford Dale estate in 1998 in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. Termed 'Frankenstein' as a tongue in cheek reference to Pinotage's laboratory birth as a hybrid of Pinotage and Cinsault, this Pinotage goes to prove that not all experiments are as disastrous as those of Dr Frankenstein. Pinotage isn't for everybody and it often does have a very dry, tar like astringency. But from low yielding vines in Helderberg with 24 years of age, this wine manages to show Pinotage's rich lush fruit and keep in check those less desirable elements of the variety. Semi-carbonic maceration and part wood fermentation aim to preserve fruity aromas and freshness and keep the oak under wraps. Early picking preserves the fresh red fruits and Pinot Noir like elements of the variety. The result is the best Pinotage we have ever tasted and is a wine with its own genuine personality and style.