Middelvlei Stellenbosch Wines

Momberg Pinotage 2018: Heritage in a Bottle

The Momberg family of Middelvlei Wines are not only synonymous with heritage, but they have also paved the way as one of the leading South African Pinotage producers. Not only is Pinotage unique to South Africa, but it was also the first wine bottled under the Middelvlei label just over 100 years ago. As a tribute to 100 years of winemaking at Middelvlei the Momberg family have just launched the limited release Momberg Pinotage 2018, which not only honours this varietal, but also celebrates this major milestone. This is the only vintage of this commemorative wine, which bears the family name on the label and its contents reflects the premium quality and excellence Middelvlei Wines has become known for over the years. Perfect timing as we get ready to celebrate our South African heritage this month. The grapes for this wine were sourced from vineyards that were carefully pruned to ensure a low yield and concentrated fruit and picked early morning. 80% New oak barrels were used in the maturation process, of which 70% was American oak and the balance French oak. In order to preserve the fruit barrels with a light toast level was used. The wine was kept in these barrels for 12 months before bottling, and then bottle aged for a further 18 months before being released.

Winemaker Tinnie Momberg’s face lights up when he describes this wine, which he feels is harmoniously oaked with an exciting mouthfeel of fruitiness. Flavours of mulberries, raspberries and creamy vanilla are backed by velvety smooth finish. A beautifully balanced wine with a delicious aftertaste. Pinotage is such a versatile varietal and there is no doubt that this crowd pleaser is guaranteed to pair perfectly with a variety of dishes. These include spareribs, a juicy pepper steak, rich game fish, venison, lamb dishes and Osso Bucco are some examples that will work well with the Momberg Pinotage 2018. Without a doubt one to include in your wine collection, this limited release wine is available only off the farm at R600 per bottle.

Celebrating 100 Years

A wine made in tribute to the 100 years that Middelvlei has been part of the Momberg family. This wine also honours the varietal used – Pinotage – the first wine bottled under the Middelvlei label. This is the only vintage of this commemorative wine. Bearing the family name, this wine reflects the premium quality and excellence this well-known Stellenbosch Estate has to offer and is known for.

Winemaker's Comment

“The wine is harmoniously oaked with an exciting mouthfeel of fruitiness. Flavours of mulberries, raspberries and creamy vanilla arebacked by a velvet smooth finish. A superbly balanced wine with a delightful aftertaste. Pinotage is versatile enough to pair with many dishes such as spare ribs, pepper steak, rich game fish andvenison, BBQ sauce, oxtail, osso buco, spicy boerewors or lamb.”

In the Vineyard & Cellar

The Pinotage grapes were selected from vineyards that were carefully pruned to ensure a low yield and concentrated fruit. The grapes were picked early morning at 25 ̊ Balling and received into the cellar while they were still cool from the night before. In the cellar the grapes were cold soaked for three days before being inoculated with a selected yeast strain. Fermentation was done in an open cement tank with regular pushing down of the cap in the first two days.

On the third day we started pump overs. The wine was pressed on the sixth day at 5 Balling. The wine was fermented dry in a tank and completed malolactic fermentation a month later. After malolactic fermentation the wine was racked off the lees and put in 225 litre oak barrels. 80% New oak barrels wereused of which 70% were American oak and 30% French oak. To preserve fruit, we used barrels with a light toast level. The wine was kept in Barrels for 12 months where a fter it was bottled. The wine was bottle aged for 18 months before being released.

If you are interested in our collection of wines, please visit us at www.middelvlei.co.za to learn more.

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