“The Auret is a wine about which I’m passionate. I’m convinced that a blend containing Pinotage, South Africa’s only indigenous variety, not only renders a traditional Cape blend, but is what our industry needs, a uniquely South African product.”

“Clos Malverne Auret Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage 1996. Pinotage is a South African red grape that offers marvelous value with certain rudeness in the fruit. This is not the rawness of youth, more; it is the impetuosity of spontaneity. Rouslingly extrovert blend with more tannins and great flourish on the finish. A classy wine.”

“Clos Malverne Auret ’96 – Old vines, basket pressed and matured in French and American oak add up to an impressive Cape red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds colour, blackcurrant fruit and ultimately international perspective to the native Pinotage’s wild red-berry fruit character. The clarity of the fruit is given full reign in this distinctively flavoured, successful blend in which Pinotage, although in a minor key, holds it’s own with confidence.”

“The addition of Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot creates a wine that is intrinsically South African, with a strong point of difference in a crowded world market.”

“Despite its minor role, Pinotage adds a different dimension to the blend. This is not the rawness of youth, more; it is the impetuosity of spontaneity.” (Borrowed from Malcolm Gluck of The Guardian Weekly, UK)

“Cape Blend is an important home for Pinotage, particularly on the world market. It brings a component to a red blend that is without comparison.”

“We find that about 20% of our international customers are not keen on straight Pinotage, but they all love our wines where Pinotage is a blending partner.”

“Pinotage adds a distinct and individual element to a blended wine – simply because no other wine is like it. Pinotage opens the wine in its youth, and adds remarkable fruit tannins and plushness.”

“The blend represents not only the synergy of three red grape varieties, but also the different slopes, soils and microclimates. Grapes were sourced from selected vineyards in the Simonsberg, Koelenhof and Bottelary Hill areas for a rich, powerful yet elegant red wine that combines the best elements of classic European and New World wine styles.”

“Because, to move into global markets requires strong and ideally unique brand positioning, we should be capitalizing on this perfect proposition, we are alone in the world to claim the Cape blend as intrinsically our own.”

“The 2003 Platter wine guide gives high-star ratings to a number of similar showstoppers. Newly-named for the winemakers, both Kaapzicht's Steytler Vision 2000 and Uiterwyk's De Waal Estate 2000 are but a half star short on the top accolade of five. Also in the limelight of such glamorous acclaim are Grangehurst's Nikela, Welgemeend, Clos Malverne and the Woolworth's Cape Blend.”

“Over the last four vintages, Three Cape Ladies has been a pioneer of this (Cape) blend, made distinctive through its Pinotage component. The addition of Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot creates a wine that is intrinsically South African, with a strong point of difference in a crowded world wine market.”

“Our truly national grape is still believed by some experts to be a bit rough for the palate of the overseas public. To obviate some astringency and bitterness. We believe in taking about 25 per cent Pinotage and blending it with other noble cultivars.”

“Could the 2000 vintage, now oozing into the market, be the one that once and for all ratifies that a Grand Cape Red be made - with a dollop or much more of, yes, pinotage?”

“I believe we have the formula for the “quintessential Cape blend” with the Clos Malverne Auret – a mix of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Pinotage and 15% Merlot.”