A landmark year for Pinotage. A defining vintage for Idiom
– Stellenbosch, 15 October 2025
In the centenary year of Pinotage’s creation, Idiom Wines has once again carved its name into the story of South African wine. The 2022 Idiom Cape Blend has been named one of the winning Cape Blends at the 2025 Perold ABSA Competition –marking Idiom’s fifth time receiving this top-tier distinction. Celebrating 100 years of Pinotage, the awards spotlight both innovation and the grape’s enduring role in South African wine.
The Cape Blend competition, established to honour excellence in wines showcasing South Africa’s homegrown varietal, Pinotage, is judged by a panel of the country’s top winemakers, critics and industry experts. Idiom was named one of just six winners for its Cape Blend – an accolade shared with only five other top producers. In this centenary year of Pinotage’s creation, Idiom’s consistency across vintages stands as a powerful tribute to the varietal’s enduring legacy – and evolving potential.
“To be named a winner once again, especially in the 100th year of Pinotage, is deeply meaningful,” says Roberto Bottega, Director of Idiom Wines. “We’ve always believed that Pinotage, when grown and blended with precision and respect, can lead to world-class wines. This award validates our commitment to that vision.”
A Cool Vintage, a Confident Blend
The 2022 vintage brought cooler conditions and longer hang times, yielding fruit of exceptional balance and complexity. Crafted by winemaker Reino Thiart, the blend marries Pinotage (40%) with a Bordeaux backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (11%), and Cabernet Franc (11%).
“We use Cabernet Sauvignon for structure, while Pinotage brings vivid red and dark fruits,” says Thiart. “The components were matured separately – mostly in French oak, with a touch of American oak on the Pinotage and Cabernet Franc – before final blending. The result is a wine that’s bold yet refined, with a signature coastal elegance.”
Tasting Notes
This vintage offers a velvet-textured palate led by Pinotage’s rich, ripe plum and black cherry, deepened by layers of
vanilla pod, cigar box, and sweet spice. A firm yet silky tannin structure carries the wine into a long, lingering finish. Elegance, concentration, and harmony define this expression – a blend as compelling as the valley it comes from.
Perfect with flame-seared ribeye, Karoo lamb, or Cape Malay spiced dishes, this is a wine that invites celebration – of place, heritage, and innovation.
A Legacy in the Making
From its unique vineyards in the Cape Mountains, cooled by sea breezes and surrounded by indigenous fynbos, Idiom crafts wines that speak of origin and excellence. This is more than an award – it’s a moment of momentum. It underscores Idiom’s role in shaping the modern narrative of Pinotage, and the blend’s place among the world’s most expressive, age-worthy red wines.
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