Winemaker Notes
With its noted acidity and vibrant fruit base this is made for food and would be a great addition to any outdoor grilling event.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Guillermo Pinotage has a lifted cassis and baking powder-scented bouquet that is nicely defined and not too over-powering. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded, supple tannins. This feels plush and caressing in the mouth, though it is nicely balanced with plenty of black plum fruit on the finish. You'll finish the bottle all too quickly!
South Africa’s signature grape, Pinotage is a distinctively earthy and rustic variety. In 1924 viticulturists crossed finicky Pinot Noir and productive, heat-tolerant Cinsault, and created a variety both darker and bolder than either of its parents! Today it is popular in South Africa both as a single varietal wine and in Cape blends. Somm Secret—The name “Pinotage” is a subtle portmanteau. The Pinot part is obvious, but the second half is a bit confusing. In the early 1900s, Cinsault was known in South Africa as “Hermitage”—hence Pinotage.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.