Fairview Pinotage Paarl RSA

Made from Gamay and Shiraz is strikingly good. It is dry and cherry scented. (12 x 75 cl)

There is very little Carignan grown in South Africa. Charles Back found these Carignan grapes while looking for old vine Pinotage. The yields of the vineyard was 6.29 tons per hectare, and the wine shows a lovely complexity and rich, ripe fruit. This vintage is a vibrant, deep, crimson red in colour, with a dark spicy nose, and with aromas of cloves, nutmeg and some liquorice. Also, touches of ripe black currents and black cherries are evident. It has a rich, medium body, with firm tannins and a long finish. (12 x 75 cl)

The 4% Viognier gives the Pinotage an attractiveness this variety seldom displays. It is a revelation, and one for those who have long ago vowed never to let another Pinotage pass thir lips. (12 x 75 cl)

The La Beryl Blanc from Fairview was produced from hand harvested Chenin Blanc and Semillon. Charles Back added Semillon to the blend this year to add complexity to the Chenin Blanc. The grapes were delicately laid out on beds of straw to desiccate. Eventually the bunches lost about 75% of their volume, intensifying the flavour and sweetness of the berries. The grapes were gently pressed and the juice fermented in French oak barrels. This sweet Chenin is rich yet balanced, and offers superb value for a sweet wine of this quality. Fairview is situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Paarl, the mountain that gives its name to this warm region, which is more sheltered from the moderating maritime influence than nearby Stellenbosch. Fairview has been planted with vines since 1699, when it was known by the name of Bloemkwoolfontein . Fortunately, its name was changed to Fairview by an English owner at the beginning of the 20th century. The property was bought by the grandfather of current owner, Charles Back, in 1937, and was subsequently run by his father, Cyril. Charles has run it for the past 25 years. ''I've spent most of that time in search of a style I'm happy with,'' says Fairview's driving force Charles Back. ''I'm happy that we're now getting plush fruit but with good grip, so better balanced wines.'' (12 x 50 cl)

This is a very special wine with enormous poise and concentration. It has a well balanced fruity palate, not overly sweet with a long soft finish. The wine has intense aromas of ripe plums and coffee and is the perfect accompaniment to desserts oozing dark chocolate (12 x 75 cl)

The wine has a deep red colour with a spiced plum fruit on the nose and is a blend of 43% Barbera, 25% Sangiovese, 14% Primitivo and 18% Nebbiolo. It has good depth with vibrant, rounded fruit on the palate and the characteristic tannin structure of both the Italian varieties and the Fairview wines. This wine was developed by Charles Back of Fairview as a tribute to the influence that the Italian farming community has had on agriculture in the Cape. In particular, this praise was to Michele Agostinelli, who helped Fairview develop their cheese business in the early 1980s. (12 x 75 cl)

It is deep coloured and spicy with attractively velvety fruit. Mourvedre is known as the Monastrell in Spain. (12 x 75 cl)

Fairview Viognier is aromatic and rich with a supple texture and nervy balance that sets it apart from many of the oily and flabby examples of this variety from the New World. A bright golden yellow colour, showing classic white flowers, peach and apricot aromas with an intense rounded mouth feel with a long concentrated finish. The property was bought by the grandfather of current owner, Charles Back, in 1937, and was subsequently run by his father, Cyril. Charles has run it for the past 25 years. Fairview is situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Paarl, which is more sheltered from the moderating maritime influence than nearby Stellenbosch. Fairview has been planted with vines since 1699. (12 x 75 cl)

The combination of fruit from various vineyards is carefully blended so as to get the best out of the various components. The Fairview grapes provide freshness and fragrant upfront fruit, while the dryland component provides depth, richness and full mouthfeel. Whole bunch pressing retains the freshness, which balances well with the fragrant flavours. The property was bought by the grandfather of current owner, Charles Back, in 1937, and was subsequently run by his father, Cyril. Charles has run it for the past 25 years. Fairview is situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Paarl, which is more sheltered from the moderating maritime influence than nearby Stellenbosch. Fairview has been planted with vines since 1699. (12 x 75 cl)