Chateau Naude - Pinotage legend

Francois Naudé Sr. finished his career in 2005 as cellar master of the famous LAvenir Wine Estate. Since the next harvest, he has worked as a consultant for his friends and South Africa's most famous winery. It was then that his dream was born. To produce the perfect South African wine of a particular vintage; a 'creme de la creme' that would have all the characteristics of something great - unique, exclusive and with a touch of magic. And so he didn't get his clients to pay him money, but instead he requested a specific single barrel of Pinotage from the winery each vintage since 2007, which he was involved in producing.

The vines were grown on different soils, with different slopes, altitudes and microclimates. All activities were carried out in close collaboration with Francois - from the vineyard practices to the selection of grapes for harvest, fermentation and the entire cycle of aging in small oak barrels. Each ingredient, in whatever percentage, had a role to play in producing a classic wine that had power, complexity and elegance and embodied the 'perfect Pinotage' as Francois himself put it. The individual barrels (between one and three from each producer) were then all taken to a central cellar where the final blend was created, fine-tuned and prepared for bottling. Only the highest quality bottles and corks were used to ensure the long ageing ability of this unique and small-production wine. In the end, seven different wines from five different producers were used in the first vintage of 'Le Vin de Francois 2007'.