Pilgrim Wines Carménère 2025
R1,460.00 CASE OF 6
Nestled among a handful of isolated, rare-variety parcels – including some of South Africa’s only Bastardo – this small Carménère vineyard overlooks Stellenbosch and the rolling hills toward Cape Town.
The block is meticulously tended and deliberately protected from the leafroll pressure found in neighbouring vineyards. Planted on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain, the low-yielding vines root deeply into decomposed red-brown granitic soils. Elevation, drainage and careful canopy work allow the fruit to retain freshness while reaching the phenolic maturity this naturally late-ripening cultivar requires.
Tasting Notes
Nestled among a handful of isolated, rare-variety parcels – including some of South Africa’s only Bastardo – this small Carménère vineyard overlooks Stellenbosch and the rolling hills toward Cape Town.
The block is meticulously tended and deliberately protected from the leafroll pressure found in neighbouring vineyards. Planted on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain, the low-yielding vines root deeply into decomposed red-brown granitic soils. Elevation, drainage and careful canopy work allow the fruit to retain freshness while reaching the phenolic maturity this naturally late-ripening cultivar requires.
Stellenbosch experienced two short heat peaks around Christmas, but January was notably cooler than average and the harvest itself remained dry. This slowed the early season, preserved acidity and allowed the later-ripening red varieties sufficient hang time to develop flavour, colour and tannin without losing freshness. Carménère, naturally low yielding and phenolically expressive before extreme sugar ripeness, was particularly well suited to these conditions.
SITE: Stellenbosch Mountain
SOILS: Decomposed granite
VINEYARD: Low yielding
The grapes were hand-picked in the cool of the early morning once flavour, seed and skin maturity were aligned. Approximately 20% whole bunches were included. Fermentation began naturally and proceeded quickly, with regular punch-downs over roughly two weeks to build colour and structure without extracting hardness.
After fermentation, the wine was pressed promptly and transferred to a small barrel for maturation. It was followed closely throughout élevage, with the aim of preserving the unusually pure 2025 fruit and fine-grained tannin profile.
Bottled in July 2026.
Colour: Deep garnet at the core, with vivid ruby-red highlights and a youthful violet rim.
Nose: Fresh and finely detailed rather than overtly toffee- or mint-led. Blackberry, mulberry and black cherry meet red cherry and softly rendered, almost pastel-like summer-berry notes, with subtle graphite, dried herbs and gentle spice lending a distinctly classical, Bordeaux-like profile.
Palate: Poised and beautifully proportioned. The dark and red fruit remains vibrant, carried by fresh acidity and a warm, inviting mid-palate. Supple, velvet-textured tannins give the wine breadth without heaviness, leading to a long, savoury and quietly spiced finish.
Overall: More classically Bordeaux in shape than the 2023, this vintage shows what the historic sixth red Bordeaux variety can achieve when given its own stage. Carménère has too often been left in the corner; here it steps forward with confidence, freshness and poise. Its purity is compelling now, while the balance and tannin architecture promise graceful development over the coming years.
Alcohol: 14.18% vol
pH: 3.61
TA: 5.58 g/L
Free SO₂: 25 mg/L
Total SO₂: 95 mg/L
Stability: Stable
Turbidity: 1.1 NTU
