A Pinotage to write home about
More From: Curious Wines
Posted July 29th, 2009 by Matt Kane
Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and the Rhône’s very own Cinsault. It is a black grape variety that was developed specially for the hot South African conditions and comes in a range of styles, but it typically results in wines with medium tannins that show upfront red berry fruit characters, and from mature vines it can produce full-bodied, rich, spiced, berry fruit.
We recently introduced Rijk’s Private Cellar to the range, a premium wine producer from the picturesque valley of Tulbagh, South Africa, who are dedicated to making wines that match with fine food. Following detailed planning with Rijk’s viticulturist, Johan Wiese, the first vines were planted in 1997, with no block exceeding one hectare, allowing for careful management throughout the growing season. Retired cellar master from Nederburg, Gunter Brozel, was drafted in to consult and help plan the 300 tonne state-of-the-art cellar, which was specifically designed for minimum interference in the wine making process.
We first put the Shiraz and the Pinotage to our customers at a wine tasting back in February and the feedback was tremendous. The Pinotage was particularly surprising, perhaps as many would usually pick a wine from the noble varieties over Pinotage, but also because it was simply incredible drinking.
The concentration of flavours were focused and pure, with perfect oak integration and the most terrific toasty notes. Not forgetting the Shiraz, it would hold its own against the very best to come out of Australia. We just had to have both in the Curious collection after the tasting, and although it took us a while to get our hands on some, our guests on that evening will be delighted to know that we have it in stock next to our entry level Long Neck Pinotage and Muddy Water’s delicious alternative from New Zealand. We’re naturally delighted to be able to offer wine drinkers probably the best Pinotage available in Ireland today.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Hmmm. Remain to be convinced. The only Pinotage I’ve enjoyed is the Diemersfontein Carpe Diem – more chocolate and coffee than wine – more to do with the carpenter than the cellar, perhaps.
Willing to give yours a try (and perhaps a buy) at your Dublin launch tasting.
When is that again?
July 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
It will be the best Pinotage you’ve ever tasted, Lar – trust me!
Do date yet for the Dublin tasting. I think it’ll be November, but maybe before.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:09 am
If I recall correctly some of Rijks wines got 4.5 or 5 stars a few years ago in the Platter guide (South African wine bible). I searched high and low for them then, where were ye Curious wines!!!
€28 sounds like alot of money for a Pinotage though, I’ll have to pick up a bottle next time I’m down in Cork to see if it’s worth the money (the list of items to pick up is growing..)
July 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Two excellent Pinotages there – Rijks and Muddy Water. Do you import the MW yourself?
July 30th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Which reminds me, I must look up Parkers bible to see if he’s discovered them yet. Good to know about the Platter guide, so I’ll check it out too – thanks Will
July 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hi Peter, we do indeed, through an Auckland-based agent – superb winery, their Pinot and Riesling are also knock-out.
They HAD the best Pinotage I’d tasted until I tried the Rijks – only fitting I suppose that a South African winery takes that mantle
July 30th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I took the Muddy Water 06 to South Africa and tasted it with Beyers Truter (Beyerskloof & Chair of Pinotage Association) and Francois Naude (ex L’Avenir)and they were very complimentary. See http://www.pinotage.org/2008/04/historic-evening-with-beyers-truter.html and http://www.pinotage.org/2007/12/new-zealand-pinotage-tasting.html
July 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Wow, fantastic write-up of what sounds like a great tasting Peter.
Glad the MW stood up well, and noted the desire to taste it when it’s older – will be very interesting to see how these relatively new wines age.