Bushvine Pinotage, Agter-Paarl

IT’S UNFORTUNATE that Lievland Vineyards, also home of M·A·N Family Wines, is closed to the public. For the time being, that is. The renovations underway at this Stellenbosch property in the foothills of the Simonsberg might be completed in time for the 2020 festive season, but it could take until sometime in 2021 before wine lovers can visit the tasting room and cellar once again. In the meantime, online purchasing must suffice. And what bargains there are to be had!

Currently making waves, so to speak, is the 2018 Bosstok Pinotage, made from grapes grown up the road and round the corner… Way below R100 a bottle for one of the Top 10 in the Winemag Pinotage Report – which also featured the 2018 Bushvine Pinotage under the Lievland label. This after the 2018 M·A·N Steen Chenin Blanc and 2017 M·A·N Skaapveld Shiraz received good reviews at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in the UK.

Clearly José Conde and the Myburgh brothers of Stark-Condé (Jonkershoek) and Joostenberg (Paarl) respectively are as adept at pandering to everyday wants with their M·A·N and ‘essay’ ranges as they are at satisfying hedonistic desires with beauties such as those going by the names of Three Pines and Bakermat.

M·A·N Bosstok Pinotage 2018
WO Coastal Region: grapes from unirrigated bush vines (untrellised) in Agter-Paarl. 90% Pinotage, 5% Grenache, 5% Cinsaut. Hand-harvested and fermented (alcoholic and malolactic) in stainless-steel tanks over five days. 25% matured in American oak barrels (20% new) for 12 months. Fined and filtered.
Alc 13.5 | RS 2.3 | TA 5.3 | pH 3.5
From Producer’s Tasting Notes: Modern style emphasising softer Pinot Noir-like characteritistics. Aromas of mocha and roasted coffee beans. Red berries, nutmeg and vanilla spice on the palate.
Pairing Suggestion: The sweet fruit flavours of this medium-bodied Pinotage make it an ideal match for spicy food, pizza, smoked pork and flavourful venison dishes.
Cellar-door Price: R75pb.