The Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2021 represents one of the flagship expressions of South Africa’s iconic grape, crafted from carefully selected vineyards in the Tulbagh Valley. Known for producing powerful yet refined Pinotage, Rijk’s Reserve captures the depth, structure, and complexity that have made the estate one of the benchmark producers of the variety.
Deep and intense in color, the wine opens with layered aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and plum, supported by notes of mocha, spice, and subtle oak. The palate is rich and concentrated, with generous dark fruit balanced by firm yet polished tannins and a well-structured backbone. Integrated oak adds complexity and warmth, leading to a long, smooth finish that showcases both power and elegance.
This is a classic food wine that pairs beautifully with grilled steaks, lamb, venison, and slow-cooked meat dishes, where its depth and structure complement bold flavors.
Cellaring Potential: Drink now or cellar for 10–15 years as the wine continues to evolve and develop further complexity.
Deep and intense in color, the wine opens with layered aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and plum, supported by notes of mocha, spice, and subtle oak. The palate is rich and concentrated, with generous dark fruit balanced by firm yet polished tannins and a well-structured backbone. Integrated oak adds complexity and warmth, leading to a long, smooth finish that showcases both power and elegance.
This is a classic food wine that pairs beautifully with grilled steaks, lamb, venison, and slow-cooked meat dishes, where its depth and structure complement bold flavors.
Cellaring Potential: Drink now or cellar for 10–15 years as the wine continues to evolve and develop further complexity.
Selected Pinotage grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness and underwent careful fermentation with controlled extraction to preserve both fruit purity and structure.
Following fermentation, the wine completed malolactic fermentation in barrel, contributing to its rounded texture and integration. The wine was then matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels, allowing the tannins to soften while building layers of spice, depth, and complexity before final bottling.
Winemaker: Adriaan Jacobs
Following fermentation, the wine completed malolactic fermentation in barrel, contributing to its rounded texture and integration. The wine was then matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels, allowing the tannins to soften while building layers of spice, depth, and complexity before final bottling.
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.
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.
