Winemaker Notes
Dark purple in color with a light ruby hue on the robe. The nose offers an assortment of spice, light coconut and cedar spice over dark red berry and dark cherry fruit aromas. Medium fuller bodied, this has a backbone of acidity that gives the red fruit base juiciness and vibrancy. The tannins are finer grained, but firm enough to focus the fruit and give good supporting structure leading to a dry finish, saying this should show well over the next three years plus, where it will broaden out and gain more mid palate flesh.
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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Decanter
Dark, savoury plummy nose with earthy hints and spice. Dark fruit core, generous tannin and mineral finish.
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.