Top Pinotage and Cape Blends revisited – up close and personal
THE 2023 Absa Top 10 Pinotage and Perold Cape Blend awards have been reported on already, but for many wine lovers it’s not enough to know what the winning wines were. “Comparing favourites is one thing, but tell us where they come from? What do they taste like? Exactly who made them?” Questions answered:
BEESLAAR PINOTAGE 2019
WO Stellenbosch. 25-year-old bush-vine vineyard with shale soils. Fermentation in open-top fermenters for four days, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels. 19 months maturation.
Alc 14.4 | RS 3.0 | TA 5.0 | pH 3.8
Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar’s Tasting Notes: “Revealing captivating notes of black cherries and Christmas cake aromas, this wine boasts an elegant tannin structure.”
R525pb ex-producer, Stellenbosch.
BEYERSKLOOF DIESEL PINOTAGE 2020
WO Stellenbosch. Grapes meticulously hand-harvested in early February from bush vines located in the Bottelary Hills and Kriekbult areas. Picked at optimal ripeness, the destemmed berries underwent thorough sorting to minimise any greenness. Fermentation occurred in open casks, with punch-downs every two hours over four to five days. After pressing, before the completion of fermentation, malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then aged in new French oak barrels for 20 months, with only the finest selected.
Alc 15.7 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.7
Winemakier Anri Truter’s Tasting Notes: “Displaying the remarkable intensity of dark fruit flavours, this wine presents a harmonious depth and balance, culminating in a long-lasting finish… Has the potential to age gracefully for a decade or more.”
R950pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch.
FAIRVIEW PRIMO PINOTAGE 2020
WO Paarl. Bush vines on Fairview farm. The grapes undergo meticulous hand-harvesting, destemming and hand-sorting to eliminate raisins and green stems. Fermentation in open-top foudres, followed by maturation for 18 months in a blend of new and seasoned French oak barrels.
Alc 14.1 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.7
Winemaker Anthony de Jager’s Tasting Notes: “The finest wine of the vintage, carefully chosen from a site that allows the varietal to authentically express itself.” Whiffs of bramble, plum, herby lavender with sprinkles of cinnamon and allspice. A brooding palate that brims with concentrated dark and red berry fruit and salty liquorice flavours. Bold tannins leading to a subtly dry finish and lingering berry fruit flavours. Great ageing potential for up to 8 years.”
R475pb ex-cellar, Paarl.
FRANCOIS VAN NIEKERK PINOTAGE 2021
WO Coastal Region. Hand-picked grapes destemmed, sorted and fermented in open-top fermenters at 27°C. During fermentation, cap punched own every two hours. Juice drawn off the skins after five days. French oak barrels: 70% new, 30% second-fill. Limited-production wine: only 20 barrels.
Alc 14.3 | RS 2.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.7
Winemaker Francois van Niekerk’s Tasting Notes: “Deep purple hues with complex aromas of black cherry, black plum, bramble berry and broody blackcurrants, underpinned by notes of tilled earth and sweet oak spice. The palate shows density and weight, with a sturdy framework of ripe, mouthcoating tannins. Generous layers of blackberry and blueberry fruit are ably supported by notes of roasted coffee beans and liquorice. The richness of the wine is kept in check by a balanced acidity, allowing the wine to finish with a light-footed freshness and persisting flavours.”
R710pb ex-producer, Wellington.
KANONKOP PINOTAGE 2017
WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. From 30- to 65-year-old bush vines planted on decomposed granite dryland soils on the slopes of the Simonsberg, yielding 5 tonnes per hectare. Fermentation occurred in open concrete fermenters at 28°C. Cap manually punched down every two hours; juice drawn off the skins after three days. Wine matured for 16 months in 225L French Nevers oak barrels – 80% new and 20% second-fill.
Alc 14.3 | RS 2.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.5
Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar’s Tasting Notes: “Radiant ruby-red hues. A quintessential Stellenbosch Pinotage with aromatic, spicy notes of mulberry, raspberry and cinnamon. Muscular, seamlessly integrated tannins provide exceptional structure. Flavours of bramble, violets, plums and blackberries harmonise with scented new oak. This elegant wine concludes with savoury undertones on a lingering finish, underscored by invigorating freshness.”
R450pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.
LA CAVE PINOTAGE 2021 (WELLINGTON WINES)
WO Wellington. 31-year-old, unirrigated bush vines in decomposed shale soil. Hand-harvested. Fermentation in open-top stainless-steel tanks at 25-27°C, with punch-downs every two hours. Free-run juice transferred to barrels for malolactic fermentation. 24 months maturation in 225L French oak barrels (100% new).
Alc 14.2 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Francois van Niekerk’s Tasting Notes: “With an ageing potential of 10 to 15 years, this wine boasts an appealing deep-plum colour, accompanied by aromas of black cherries, red currants and oak spice. The palate is graced with a beautiful fruit profile featuring complex flavours of ripe plums and dark chocolate.”
R220pb ex-cellar, Wellington.
L’AVENIR SINGLE BLOCK PINOTAGE 2020
WO Stellenbosch. Produced from an old vineyard planted in a vein of weathered Glenrosa shale at the highest altitude on L’Avenir Wine Estate.
Alc 14.9 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Dirk Coetzee’s Tasting Notes: “The combination of altitude, vineyard age and Glenrosa soil results in an elegant, modern expression of Pinotage with extraordinary purity of fruit.”
R700pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch.
SPIER 21 GABLES PINOTAGE 2018
WO Stellenbosch. Fruit from Stellenbosch Mountain. 15% natural fermentation (wild yeast). Wine matured for 20 months in a combination of first- and second-fill oak barrels and then, after final blending completed, rested for a further 12 months in barrel.
Acl 14.7 | RS 4.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Johan Jordaan’s Tasting Notes: “Deep ruby red, the nose reveals violets, ripe blackberries and cherries with a graphite hint. The full-bodied palate offers Black Forest Cake-like flavours, ending in a velvety, opulent finish.”
R320pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch.
STELLENBOSCH ‘1679’ OLD VINE PINOTAGE 2021 (KOELENHOF)
WO Stellenbosch. 46-year-old vines. Meticulous vinification process involving seven days of skin maceration in open-top fermenters at 25°C, the wine was matured for 14 months in 300L French oak barrels.
Alc 15.7 | RS 4.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Nicholas Husselman’s Tasting Notes: “Richly textured, exhibiting a ruby-red hue. Aromas of freshly-picked cherries blend with delicate hints of spice, leading to a palate graced by red fruit and mocha nuances.”
R375pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch.
SURVIVOR PINOTAGE RESERVE 2021 (OVERHEX)
WO Swartland. Exceptional terroir. Exceptional-quality oak barrels.
Alc 14.2 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Ben Snyman’s Tasting Notes: “This world-class wine unveils a lively and deep red colour with a nose of blackberry fruit pastilles and freshly-picked ripe cherries, notes of spicy vanilla. Full-bodied and structured to last, the palate enfolds these flavours into a synced orchestra that keeps on changing with every mouthful.”
R440pb ex-cellar, Worcester.
BELLEVUE ATTICUS CAPE BLEND 2021
WO Stellenbosch. 43% Pinotage, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot.
Alc 14.1 | RS 2.3 | TA 6.5 | pH 3.4
Winemaker Wilhelm Kritzinger’s Tasting Notes: “The nose reveals inviting aromas of plum, blackberry and vanilla. On the palate, it’s followed by a bold presence of ripe berry fruit, integrated oak flavours and soft tannins.”
R145pb ex-cellar, Bottelary-Stellenbosch.
BEYERSKLOOF SYNERGY CAPE BLEND 2021
WO Stellenbosch (Bottelary Hills). 45% Pinotage, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Shiraz, 1% Cinsault, 1% Pinot Noir. Grapes hand-picked. Fermentation in open fermenters for six to eight days at an average temperature of 25°C. Cap punched by hand every two hours. After malolactic fermentation, wine matured in French oak for 12 months.
Alc 14.2 | RS 3.1 | TA 5.7 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Anri Truter’s Tasting Notes: “Fresh dark fruit and spicy aromas upon entry. A well-balanced wine with round tannins and a pleasant finish. Ready to enjoy upon release and will develop well for up to 10 years. Pairs well with slow-cooked beef Ragu pasta or roast chicken.”
R150pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch.
ENDURA WINEMAKERS SELECTION CAPE BLEND 2020 (PERDEBERG)
WO Paarl. 52% Pinotage, 24% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon. Smaller berries and flavour-rich grapes. Limited release blend.
Alc 13.8 | RS 3.2 | TA 5.5 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Albertus Louw’s Tasting Notes: “Well balanced with dominant flavours of cherries, red berries and cloves. The palate is well-structured and elegant, and has a long, smooth finish.”
R350pb ex-cellar, Paarl.
FLAGSTONE DRAGON TREE CAPE BLEND 2020
WO Western Cape. 38% Pinotage, 30% Shiraz, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mataro, 2% Durif, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot. Matured for 12 to 18 months in American (55%), French (35%) and Hungarian (10%) oak barrels, 15% new.
Alc 14.8 | RS 2.9 | TA 5.7 | pH 3.6
Winemaker Gerhard Swart’s Tasting Notes: “There is a mixture of rich dark fruit, cigar box and minty aromas with well-balanced wood on the nose. Sweet and spicy undertones give this wine great depth. The palate shows fresh and crisp acidity with an explosion of fruit on the mid-palate, leaving a long, lingering aftertaste.”
R155pb ex-cellar, Strand/Somerset West.
MENTORS PEROLD 2019 (KWV)
WO Coastal Region. 39% Pinotage, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz, 13% Petite Sirah. Matured for 18 months in first-fill French oak barrels.
Alc 14.6 | RS 2.8 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.5
Winemaker Izéle van Blerk’s Tasting Notes: “This elegant Cape Blend overflows with the aromatic fruit sweetness of plums, sour cherries and black pepper. The structured palate and juicy tannins can be attributed to the great balance between fruit concentration and oak integration. The finish is focused yet lingers in a velvet mouthfeel.”
R749pb ex-cellar, Paarl.
STELLENBOSCH HILLS SUIKERBOSCHRAND CAPE BLEND 2017
WO Stellenbosch. 35% Pinotage, 35% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot.
Alc 15.1 | RS 3.5 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.5
Winemaker Charl Myburgh’s Tasting Notes: “A voluptuous and complex Cape Blend, with an abundance of ripe berry fruit, dark chocolate and cigar box aromas. The wood flavours of the carefully selected oak barrels complement the wine beautifully and support the structure of the wine. The elegant tannins ensure a lingering aftertaste with a fresh hint of spices.”
R425pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch.
