Pinotage
Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa's signature variety. It was cultivated there in 1925 as a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut (Cinsaut was known as "Hermitage" in South Africa at that time, hence the portmanteau name). It typically produces deep red varietal wines with smoky, bramble and earthy flavours, sometimes with notes of bananas and tropical fruit, but has been criticised for sometimes smelling of acetone. The grape is a viticultural intraspecific cross of two varieties of Vitis vinifera, not an interspecific hybrid.
This particular vintage has developed great complexity in the bottle. White pear, fresh hay and floral honeysuckle aromas on the nose are complimented by green orchard fruits on the palette with a rounded mouthfeel and long finish.
Wine styles:
Pinotage is a dry, full-bodied, high-tannin red wine that can vary greatly in quality. Low-quality, commercial pinotage often has the unpleasant aroma of nail polish remover or rubber