Winemaker Notes
Southern Right is redefining Pinotage with this intense, classically styled wine, expressing a variety of ancient soils and packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle spice. Full ripeness at lower alcohol and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler more marginal sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure, resulting from both granitic and clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa's unique grape variety.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Close to the cool Atlantic coast, Hemel-en-Aarde, formerly part of Walker Bay (which has been elevated to district status), was established as an appellation in 2006. Smoke, blackberry, and plum bathe the palate, where spiced cedar offers texture with radiating undertones of roast coffee and cinnamon. The aromas linger as long as the satin-lined finish does.
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James Suckling
A vibrant red, with a core of ripe mulberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. Light, supple tannins and lively acidity provide fine definition for the medium-bodied frame, and notes of violet, thyme, anise and iron linger on the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A Cape Coast wine, the Southern Right 2022 Pinotage is made with purchased grapes from the Swartland on loose granite soils. This site adds tannic structure. Made with old-vine fruit, the wine delivers dried raspberry, cherry and hints of dusty iron rust. The use of oak is downplayed, and the wine shines forth with pretty primary intensity backed by a pinch of saltiness. Winemaker Emul Ross suggests a pairing with one of those lovely Cape Malay chicken curries served in South Africa.
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Wine Spectator
A vibrant red, with a core of ripe mulberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. Light, supple tannins and lively acidity provide fine definition for the medium-bodied frame, and notes of violet, thyme, anise and iron linger on the finish. Drink now through 2030.
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.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.