Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage 2017

A lion's roar. A hippo's grunt. An elephant's trumpet. So much for a relaxing, tranquil drink on the verandah. Ken was tired of the racket. The thing is, nature in South Africa's so BIG. And big things make big noises. (Think jumbo jet. Or dumper truck.)

Ken, then, decided he'd make a quiet little red that didn't stamp and shout. A wine that didn't blare it's flavours at you, but muttered gently. Mulberries. Plum pudding. Smoky bacon. Whispering on the tongue. So much more persuasive. It's the quiet ones you should watch out for, as Ken knows.

Ken Forrester began his career in the Hotel industry back in 1977, later specialising in the restaurant trade before he and his wife set their hearts on a historic vineyard in Stellenbosch in 1993. Originally granted as Zandberg in 1689, the beautiful farm, complete with historic Cape Dutch homestead built in 1694, had been standing vacant and derelict until the Forrester’s bought it on public auction.

Restoration of the 17th century homestead went underway, replanting the vines to develop wines of quality. The first wines under the Ken Forrester label were produced in 1994, soon the award-winning wines stood at the forefront of the Chenin Blanc revival, earning Ken the nickname ‘Mr Chenin’. The grapes for these wines are sourced from vineyards in the cool Helderberg region of Stellenbosch.

Ken Forrester’s Petit Pinotage offers typical aromas of spicy mulberries, cherries and plum pudding, which are supported by hints of smoky bacon. It is a juicy red wine with a soft, delicious concentration of fruit.