A PINOTAGE that originates in a vineyard unlike any other: 24 double rows of vines planted in a fan-like semi-circle to expose the plants to varying amounts of sunlight through 180 degrees. A tiny patch of land in a residential area at the southernmost tip of the Jonkershoek ward in the Stellenbosch wine district, it is named in honour of Abraham Perold, the first professor of viticulture at Stellenbosch University, who crossed the varieties Pinot Noir and Cinsault at the university's Welgevallen farm to come up with Pinotage back in 1925.
The Perold Vineyard comprises just 966 vines and is experimental in nature. The double-trellis system was new at the time when the rows of vines were planted, and understanding how the variance in sun exposure resulting from the different positioning of the rows will affect the wine produced from each of them is one of the experiments planned for the future. Since it was established in 2008, the vineyard has settled well, the roots have penetrated deep into the rocky ground and supplementary irrigation is no longer required. The first year that wine was made using grapes from this vineyard was 2013, and as from 2017 the winemaking originally carried out at Welgevallen has been entrusted to the nearby Lanzerac cellar – the 1959 Lanzerac Pinotage having been the first commercial release of a wine with the name of this SA cultivar on the label.
The name Aliquid Novi (Something New) is based on a quote attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher of the first century AD: “Ex Africa semper aliquid novi” (something new always comes out of Africa). And how about that! The design of the cursive script in which the name aliquid novi appears on the label is based on the handwriting of Prof Perold… More about the backstory available from STIAS and Lanzerac.
ALIQUID NOVI PINOTAGE 2022
WO Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch. Single-vineyard wine. Clone PIN48, grafted onto US8/7UC32 rootstock. 0.5ha Perold Vineyard planted in 2008 on Mostertsdrift, owned by Stellenbosch University and rented to the Stellenbosch Intsitute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Harvest date: 24 February 2022. Fruit hand-picked, crushed, fermented with commercial yeasts in open bins, punched down four times a day. Matured for 16 months in used French oak barrels (2nd- to 4th-fill). Total production: 1000 bottles.
Alc 13.9 | RS 2.2 | TA 5.5 | pH 3.5
Winemaker's Tasting Notes: An elegant, lighter style of Pinotage that leans more towards the Pinot Noir parent, rather than Cinsault. Nuanced and complex, with typical Pinotage character on the nose and palate. Vibrant red fruit flavours of cherries and raspberries, with soft tannins and a juicy, fresh character.
Cellaring Potential: Drink now to 2030.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Grilled tuna or salmon, creamy bacon and mushroom risotto, charcuterie, biltong, soft cheeses.
R300pb from Lanzerac Estate, Stellenbosch.
Also in this series:
• AA Badenhorst Palomino
• Ayama Vermentino
• Bosman Nero (d'Avola)
• Cederberg Bukettraube
• Cederberg Sauvignon Gris
• DaschBosch Avon Clairette Blanche
• Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner
• Jordan Assyrtiko
• Klein Amoskuil Amos Block (Fino Sherry)
• Kloovenburg Lledoner Pelut
• Lemberg Hárslevelü
• Lowerland Tolbos Tannat
• Lozärn Carménère
• Newton Johnson Albariño
• Pilgrim Viura (Macabeo)
• Springfontein Chenel
• Stellenbosch Vineyards Therona