Just as Pinot Noir and Cinsault brought its unique characteristics to the crossing of Pinotage, so too is its contribution in No.42. While Pinotage was primarily responsible for structure and vibrant oak notes, Pinot Noir and Cinsault contributed elegance and Old World sensibility.
Ripe plum and cherry fruit on the nose with a hint of toasty oak. The entry on the palate is silky and elegant, and the finish is enhanced by a velvety tannin structure and modern oak flavors.
Ripe plum and cherry fruit on the nose with a hint of toasty oak. The entry on the palate is silky and elegant, and the finish is enhanced by a velvety tannin structure and modern oak flavors.
Pinotage is a South African crossing of one half Pinot Noir (regarded by some as the Prince of Red Varieties ) and one half Cinsaut (traditionally a “work horse” in the South African industry). Through a series of coincidences, Pinotage has emerged as South Africa’s most prominent home-grown variety. Orpheus and the Raven No.42 celebrates the heritage of Pinotage and its parent cultivars.
One of the foremost challenges in the creation of 42 was to identify wine-growing sites which will deliver on the glorious whole that we envisioned when all the diverse components are amalgamated. Subsequently, fruit from vineyards in Walker Bay, Bottellary Hills and Durbanville were sourced. The grapes were sorted, crushed and vinified in a combination of open cement and closed stainless steel fermenters.
After malolactic fermentation, the components were aged separately in oak barrels (30% new) for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. A combination of French and American oak was used in the Pinotage-fraction, while the Cinsaut and Pinot Noir were aged in French oak exclusively.
Winemaker : Etienne Louw
One of the foremost challenges in the creation of 42 was to identify wine-growing sites which will deliver on the glorious whole that we envisioned when all the diverse components are amalgamated. Subsequently, fruit from vineyards in Walker Bay, Bottellary Hills and Durbanville were sourced. The grapes were sorted, crushed and vinified in a combination of open cement and closed stainless steel fermenters.
After malolactic fermentation, the components were aged separately in oak barrels (30% new) for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. A combination of French and American oak was used in the Pinotage-fraction, while the Cinsaut and Pinot Noir were aged in French oak exclusively.
Winemaker : Etienne Louw
Orpheus And The Raven was conceptualized in 2015 by winemaker Etienne Louw and graphic designer Brenden Schwartz.
These friends recognized a creative fire in each other and decided to direct this passion to develop a wine brand that is not driven by sales volumes, market share or consumer insight, but by a pure expression of the love for fine wine and art. With nothing in their arsenal except the freedom to express, passion, creativity, energy, and a single wine vat, the pair started Vinoneers, the umbrella company for the brand Orpheus And The Raven, which now includes three wines.
The creative duo’s vision finds expression in wines and labels which introduce something refreshingly unique to the South African wine market. The range of wines do all express a sense of place and purpose, as confirmed by the tales that inform on their creation. And rather than purely using the label to convey information about the wine, Etienne and Brenden use the labels to tell the story of their personal journeys inspired by the Greek play Orpheus in the Underworld.
At its core, the play encourages the audience to never look back; appropriate advice to Etienne who was a chemical engineer before embarking on a career as winemaker. With this as its departure, Orpheus & The Raven was developed as alter-egos for the Vinoneers.
Etienne, also a classically trained musician, is represented by Orpheus with his lyre. Brenden’s alter-ego derives from his family crest, which depicts a raven. Ravens are known to be highly creative, cunning, with a witty kind of wisdom and bravery - constantly encouraging Orpheus to look ahead.
These friends recognized a creative fire in each other and decided to direct this passion to develop a wine brand that is not driven by sales volumes, market share or consumer insight, but by a pure expression of the love for fine wine and art. With nothing in their arsenal except the freedom to express, passion, creativity, energy, and a single wine vat, the pair started Vinoneers, the umbrella company for the brand Orpheus And The Raven, which now includes three wines.
The creative duo’s vision finds expression in wines and labels which introduce something refreshingly unique to the South African wine market. The range of wines do all express a sense of place and purpose, as confirmed by the tales that inform on their creation. And rather than purely using the label to convey information about the wine, Etienne and Brenden use the labels to tell the story of their personal journeys inspired by the Greek play Orpheus in the Underworld.
At its core, the play encourages the audience to never look back; appropriate advice to Etienne who was a chemical engineer before embarking on a career as winemaker. With this as its departure, Orpheus & The Raven was developed as alter-egos for the Vinoneers.
Etienne, also a classically trained musician, is represented by Orpheus with his lyre. Brenden’s alter-ego derives from his family crest, which depicts a raven. Ravens are known to be highly creative, cunning, with a witty kind of wisdom and bravery - constantly encouraging Orpheus to look ahead.
