The Rijk’s Touch of Oak Pinotage 2023 is a bold yet balanced expression of Pinotage, crafted to highlight the grape’s natural richness while keeping oak influence subtle and well-integrated. Sourced from the Coastal Region, this wine leans into depth and drinkability in equal measure.
The nose opens with ripe bramble berries, plum, and dark cherry, layered with hints of black pepper and cocoa powder. On the palate, the wine is full and plush, with concentrated black fruit supported by smooth, well-integrated tannins. There’s a natural freshness that keeps the wine lifted, while the structure provides length and balance. The finish is warm, rounded, and persistent, offering both richness and approachability.
A versatile, food-friendly Pinotage that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecue, slow-roasted lamb, and hearty stews.
The nose opens with ripe bramble berries, plum, and dark cherry, layered with hints of black pepper and cocoa powder. On the palate, the wine is full and plush, with concentrated black fruit supported by smooth, well-integrated tannins. There’s a natural freshness that keeps the wine lifted, while the structure provides length and balance. The finish is warm, rounded, and persistent, offering both richness and approachability.
A versatile, food-friendly Pinotage that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, barbecue, slow-roasted lamb, and hearty stews.
The grapes underwent a 48-hour cold maceration prior to fermentation to enhance color and intensify fruit expression. During fermentation, extraction was managed through pump-overs three times daily, allowing for gentle integration of tannin and flavor.
The skins were pressed before fermentation was complete, and the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, contributing to its smooth texture. It was then matured for approximately 20 months in French oak barrels, using a mix of 20% second-fill, 40% third-fill, and 40% fourth-fill oak, ensuring subtle oak influence while preserving fruit purity.
Winemaker: Adriaan Jacobs
The skins were pressed before fermentation was complete, and the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, contributing to its smooth texture. It was then matured for approximately 20 months in French oak barrels, using a mix of 20% second-fill, 40% third-fill, and 40% fourth-fill oak, ensuring subtle oak influence while preserving 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.
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.
