I’m surprised by the fruity description on the bottle. I thought it was a very “earthy” wine… farm-like for sure.

I think some of these farm/horse/manure/earth smelling and tasting wines might go very well with the right meal. Mushroom-smothered steak?

Hello Guys,

I was on a big time Pinotage kick a few months back when I learned that two Virginia wineries had put out a varietal bottling of the grape variety so unique to South Africa. Here in Virginia the growers are experimental so you might find just about anything planted – I mean you have to see what work.

I have tried many inexpensive examples of Pinotage and a few expensive bottles, and the least expensive for me are unforgettable. I do not mean that in a totally pleasant way (sort of mixed), as it is almost like you want to finish the bottle because it’s so interesting, but you lack the motivation to buy another bottle because they can be a little aggressive and a tad harsh.

From the cheapies I always get smoky, hickory, earthy, yes barnyard and subdued red fruit – and the smoky is always on the tail end and desirable. For me it’s rustic and enjoyable, and cheap. The pricier examples are smooth and velvety with ripe tannins, bold fruit; you wouldn’t even think it a Pinotage if you have tasted through enough of the inexpensive examples. I suppose it is so new there is no established standard?

My interest was piqued so much that I tried New Zealand and CA examples, as well as Virginia, and they are totally different wines. Must say however, that I have never picked up on any blue cheese notes in the many bottles I have tasted through, but will purchase the bottle you had since I have seen it on store shelves here just recently.

Happy Sipping!

Dezel

BTW - another way to think about the poem and prose on the bottles is that it may have been there prior to bottling - some things may change over time - then again, the person who wrote it may wish for those things to develop over time (lol)

Pinotage is definitely a franken-wine. But the right mix of cheese (usually strong in the South African wines) and barn yard is great! It’s one of those bold wines that is different than the rest, but can be a great wine experience. Somehow everything wrong is mixed together and something wonderful comes out. I do realize that I am in the minority by liking Pinotage.

One other neat fact. Pinotage is a recently create grape–1973 I believe. It was created at a university in South Africa.

I was wrong. It was 1925 and was the result of a cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault varieties created in South Africa in 1925, by Stellenbosch University Professor A.I. Peroldt.