TROPHY at the 2020 Absa Top 10, Double Gold Medal at the Veritas Awards and 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide! The Journal represents what cellarmaster Thys Louw and the team of winemakers regard as the ultimate expression of the variety at Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville. And what a flying start to a new chapter of this farm with a winemaking tradition going back six generations.

The 2018 is the first vintage of Pinotage to be sold as part of The Journal following a relaunch of the flagship range previously labelled MM Louw. While Diemersdal is widely considered to be a Sauvignon Blanc specialist, and for good reason, the family also has a reputation for top reds, particularly in terms of Pinotage of which there are several renditions – two with track records that put them at the top of the SA Wine Classification, the Reserve so consistent as to be included in the Top Wine SA Hall of Fame. All in good time for The Journal, no doubt. All in good time.

DIEMERSDAL THE JOURNAL PINOTAGE 2018
WO Durbanville. 25-year-old, trellised, dryland vineyard. Hand-harvested. A portion of the grapes underwent whole-berry fermentation in closed 500L French oak barrels rolled twice a day, the balance crushed and fermented in open-top fermenters with pump-overs every three hours. Malolactic fermentation in older barrels. Matured for 22 months in 225L French oak barrels (60% new).
Alc 14.7 | RS 3.3 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.5
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Intense, bold red berry flavours. Great complexity with savoury spice notes as well as velvety tannins.
Pairing Suggestion: Classic Old World dishes such as roast lamb with fresh vegetables.
R320pb ex-cellar.