I don’t generally enjoy Pinotage, and this is very good wine. The typical Pinotage burnt rubber is nowhere to be found. Instead, it is a very nice glass of sweet toasty black fruit. Wood is obvious but not overwhelming. Instead, it adds a light background of sweet wood-burned maple to plums, boysenberry, and blueberry. This is a good food wine, too, for the sweet wood and fruit are balanced by acids that will happily complement well-marbled beef. Drink this with a big Ribeye and some creamed spinach.
WHO: Waboomsrivier Wynkelder (Wine Cellar)
WHAT: Pinotage
WHERE: Breedekloof, South Africa
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $15 (Media sample)