At the recent Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards the coveted Top Pinotage award went to gold medal winner Deetlefs Estate Oak Matured Pinotage 2005 (only two gold medals in this category).

This competition focuses on exposing South African wines to selected local and international judges, with food and wine pairing being an important part of the criteria. This wine has recently done extremely well with a four star rating in Wine Magazine (May 2007) as well as an award at the Decanter Wine Awards.

Deetlefs Pinotage is currently flying South African Airways First and Premium Class! Deetlefs Estate was awarded the SAA Chief Executive Officer Trophy for the best winery in South Africa with the most listings in 2007 – pretty impressive when only 7% of 1200 entries received accolades!

Deetlefs Estate, well known for their Semillon is hereby establishing itself as a Pinotage producer of note. Deetlefs won the trophy for the best young Pinotage at the South African Young Wine Show for two consecutive years. It is the same Pinotage vineyards that are selected for various styles in the following Deetlefs ranges:

• Stonecross Pinotage
• Deetlefs Estate Pinotage,
• Deetlefs Estate Oak Matured Pinotage as well as certain Pinotage blends.

The Oak Matured Pinotage 2005 was released in October 2006 and has practically sold out; with only a few cases left for allocated clients. Although the 2006 vintage did extremely well it was not selected in a blind benchmark tasting and therefore the next Oak Matured Pinotage will only be available early in 2008!

The wine is characterised by rich fruit aromas followed by a gentle smokiness, deep purple colour with compact ripe berry flavours and well-balanced tannins.

Ilse van Dijk, winemaker at Deetlefs, who is well-known for her success with Pinotage at Stellenzicht, says "I am really excited about the potential of our Pinotage. The grapes definitely give me an edge and I am looking forward to building on this sound foundation!"