Neil Ellis Bottelary Hills Pinotage 2018

Neil Ellis is one of the doyens of the South African wine industry. He has journeyed from pioneering négociant beginnings in the early 1980s, seeking out parcels of interesting vines to make exceptional wines under his own name in rented cellar space, to a well-established family enterprise with a full winery controlling all aspects of production. After forty years of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s sons Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist and Charl heading up the financial team, while his daughter Margot fulfils the role of brand manager.

The rolling hills of the Bottelary region lie just outside Stellenbosch where sun, slopes and sea breezes create a unique terrain for the cultivation of Pinotage. This Pinotage is from well-established twenty three year old bush vine vineyards on south-west facing slopes, growing on decomposed granite. The wine spent fourteen months in 50% new French oak barrels, the balance in second fill and older barrels.