The Rijk’s Private Cellar Pinotage 2022 is a deeply expressive example of South Africa’s signature grape, crafted in the warm, sun-drenched vineyards of Tulbagh. Known for producing structured, fruit-driven Pinotage, Rijk’s continues to deliver wines that balance richness with finesse.
The wine shows a deep, inviting color and opens with aromas of mulberry, ripe cherries, and plum, layered with subtle hints of sweet spice. On the palate, the vibrant red fruit carries through beautifully, supported by fine tannin structure and well-integrated oak. Gentle wood spice adds complexity without overpowering the fruit, creating a Pinotage that is both concentrated and polished, with a smooth, lingering finish.
This is a versatile food wine that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, slow-braised dishes, lamb, and smoky barbecue flavors.
Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now or cellar comfortably for 8-12 years as the wine continues to gain complexity.
The wine shows a deep, inviting color and opens with aromas of mulberry, ripe cherries, and plum, layered with subtle hints of sweet spice. On the palate, the vibrant red fruit carries through beautifully, supported by fine tannin structure and well-integrated oak. Gentle wood spice adds complexity without overpowering the fruit, creating a Pinotage that is both concentrated and polished, with a smooth, lingering finish.
This is a versatile food wine that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, slow-braised dishes, lamb, and smoky barbecue flavors.
Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now or cellar comfortably for 8-12 years as the wine continues to gain complexity.
Fruit was given a 48-hour cold maceration prior to fermentation to enhance color extraction and preserve vibrant fruit character. During fermentation, extraction was carefully managed through manual punch-downs three times daily. The wine was gently pressed before fermentation completed and underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, contributing to its rounded texture and integration.
The wine was then matured for 22 months in a combination of 60% French and 40% American oak barrels, with 40% new, 30% second-fill, and 30% third-fill barrels, building complexity while maintaining balance and fruit purity.
Winemaker : Adriaan Jacobs
The wine was then matured for 22 months in a combination of 60% French and 40% American oak barrels, with 40% new, 30% second-fill, and 30% third-fill barrels, building complexity while maintaining balance and fruit purity.
Winemaker : Adriaan Jacobs
Rijk's is situated in the small town of Tulbagh, 120km northeast of Cape Town and 90km east of the Atlantic coast in a Mediterranean climate area. From the year 1751 up to 1771 Rijk Tulbagh was the Governor of the Cape. Not only it was the town named after him, but also the Rijk's brand in his honor.
In the year 1969, a devastating earthquake destroys the town of Tulbagh. Lover of good food and collector of good wines, Neville Dorrington had been working in Cape Town for more than 20 years. In 1996 Neville and his family decided to move to the countryside and grow and produce their own wine. They fell in love with the Tulbagh valley and came across 137 hectares of virgin soils that was never cultivated. The slopes faced north, south, east and west and the analysis of the vertical shale soils revealed the potential for low yielding, high-quality grapes. The offer to purchase was accepted, and the Rijks farm was found. They did it all from scratch, 14 Hectares of vines were planted, and the following year a further 12 hectares.
They decided to plant many different cultivars - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage to see what best suited their climate. The new cellar was designed by legendary winemaker Gunter Brozel, who had retired from Nederburg after 33 years and opened on time.
After 12 years, they had learned about the natural environment and the characteristic taste and flavors of the wines they produced. They decided to concentrate on the cultivars best suited to their farm and soil - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz. The farm produces unique older vintage wine from low yielding shale soils that have satisfied wine enthusiasts from around the world.
In the year 1969, a devastating earthquake destroys the town of Tulbagh. Lover of good food and collector of good wines, Neville Dorrington had been working in Cape Town for more than 20 years. In 1996 Neville and his family decided to move to the countryside and grow and produce their own wine. They fell in love with the Tulbagh valley and came across 137 hectares of virgin soils that was never cultivated. The slopes faced north, south, east and west and the analysis of the vertical shale soils revealed the potential for low yielding, high-quality grapes. The offer to purchase was accepted, and the Rijks farm was found. They did it all from scratch, 14 Hectares of vines were planted, and the following year a further 12 hectares.
They decided to plant many different cultivars - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage to see what best suited their climate. The new cellar was designed by legendary winemaker Gunter Brozel, who had retired from Nederburg after 33 years and opened on time.
After 12 years, they had learned about the natural environment and the characteristic taste and flavors of the wines they produced. They decided to concentrate on the cultivars best suited to their farm and soil - Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz. The farm produces unique older vintage wine from low yielding shale soils that have satisfied wine enthusiasts from around the world.
