Bellevue Estate is a family-owned farm with a long legacy in South Africa’s winemaking history. From pioneering the commercial planting of Pinotage in the 1950s to today’s commitment to innovation and quality, Bellevue continues to create wines that showcase the unique character of its land.

This bold and powerful expression of South Africa’s iconic Pinotage comes from select fruit parcels from old vineyards, including a key block planted in 1996. The vineyard, located on an eastern slope with a north-south row orientation, is home to bush vines thriving in decomposed granite and shale soils, producing fruit with exceptional concentration and depth.

After a four-day cold soak, the grapes underwent fermentation in tanks with three daily aerated pump-overs to enhance colour and flavour extraction. The wine was then pressed, settled, and transferred to 300-litre French oak barrels—50% new and 50% second-fill—where it underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation and matured for 22 months.

The result is a rich, concentrated wine with aromas of violet and cedarwood. The palate reveals bold flavours of sweet-sour raspberry and maraschino cherry, balanced by savoury umami undertones. Dense, fine-grained tannins provide structure, leading to a long, clean finish.

This Pinotage is ideal with richly flavoured dishes. Pair it with well-aged steaks, such as rib-eye or T-bone, braised short ribs, or venison. For a unique match, enjoy it with strong cheeses like blue cheese, gorgonzola, or aged gouda. The wine’s bold character also makes it an excellent companion to rich, umami-heavy dishes like mushroom risotto or a classic beef Wellington.