Tag Archives: pinotage

M.A.N. Family Wines ‘Bosstok’ Pinotage 2014

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Winery: José Conde along with brothers Tyrrel and Philip Myburgh founded M.A.N. Family Wines in 2001. M.A.N. is an acronym representing the first letter of each of their wives’ names. Beginning with 300 cases produced in a tractor shed, they have advanced to producing over 175,000 cases of wine per year and exporting to 25 countries. The winery is located in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, and consists of 30 farmers that are also shareholders in the company.

Philosophy: Using modern techniques with traditional elegance, they strive to produce “daily wines for wine geeks”, wines “that offer bang for your buck”.

Winemaking: All of the vineyards and growers are certified sustainable and socially responsible, nearly 80% of the vineyards are un-irrigated, and 52% are un-trellised “bush vines”. The name ‘Bosstok’ actually refers to these bush vines, the “bosstok Pinotage vineyards grow close to the ground, producing lower yields of concentrated, flavourful grapes”. Bosstok is crafted in “a modern style that showcases the best Pinot Noir-like characteristics of Pinotage, emphasizing bright fruit and soft tannins, making it “a very accessible Pinotage”.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with aromas of cherry, licorice and roasted herbs. Dense fruit [blackberry, black cherry and tart cherry] wrap around a smoky earth core, whilst black cherry, crushed black peppercorn and coffee hints comprise the lengthy finish. Robust and hearty, this is consistently a fantastic value.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: sweet-spicy dishes, risotto, barbeque

100% Pinotage
Coastal Region
South Africa
Produced by Man Vitners
14% Alcohol
$8
Enjoy now thru 2018

M.A.N. Family Wines Bosstok Pinotage 2013

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Characteristic smoky earth notes intact, this an accessible, lighter styled Pinotage.

Winery: M.A.N. Family Wines [formerly M.A.N. Vintners] was founded in 2001 by José Conde and brothers Tyrrel and Philip Myburgh in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. M.A.N. is an acronym representing the first letter of each of their wive’s names. Beginning with 300 cases produced in a tractor shed, they have advanced to producing over 175,000 cases of wine per year and exporting to 25 countries. The winery consists of 30 farmers that are also shareholders in the company.

Philosophy: Using modern techniques with traditional elegance, they strive to produce “daily wines for wine geeks”, wines “that offer bang for your buck”.

Winemaking: All of the vineyards and growers are certified sustainable and socially responsible, nearly 80% of the vineyards are un-irrigated, and 52% are un-trellised “bush vines”. “Bosstok” actually refers to these bush vines, the “bosstok Pinotage vineyards grow close to the ground, producing lower yields of concentrated, flavourful grapes”. 
25% of the wine was aged in American oak barrels [20% new].

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with aromas of black cherry, crushed black peppercorn and wisps of smoky campfire. Cherry, blackberry and earth notes wrapped around soft tannins, whilst subtle toasted oak and smoky earth comprised the velvety finish.

86% Pinotage, 14% Shiraz
Coastal Region
South Africa
Produced by M.A.N. Vintners
14% Alcohol
$9
Enjoy now thru 2017

Rated 87 points by Wine Spectator

Barista Pinotage 2011

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An unconventional, plump Pinotage bursting with coffee notes that is exceptionally good with desserts or sipping on its own.

Winemaker: Bertus Fourie, who is nicknamed “Starbucks” for the advances he has made within the curious genre of ‘coffee pinotage’. He developed the Barista label in conjunction with Vinimark The Wine Company, South Africa’s largest independent wine wholesaler.

Winemaking: The process is kept secret, but Fourie will divulge that part of the technique involves “different oak regimens and different toasting grades along with specific yeast string”. The grapes were sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards.

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby-red in colour with energetic aromas of smoky coffee bean and black cherry. Intense cherry joined meaty elements whilst velvety tannins progressed to rich notes of coffee, chocolate and smoky traces in the lengthy finish.

100% Pinotage
Western Cape
South Africa
Produced by Val de Vie
14% Alcohol
$13 [average price]
Enjoy now thru 2015

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Stellenbosch Farmers’ Oracle of the Stars Pinotage 2012

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Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery was born when William Charles Winshaw left America and founded the Stellenbosch Grape Juice Works in South Africa in 1909. Today Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery Ltd. markets approximately one-third of all wines sold in South Africa, and has a total of approximately 3,350 people it employs. Their cellars are among the largest in the world, and are located in Stellenbosch, a 320-year old town in the heart of the Cape Winelands, just east of Cape Town.

Inky red-violet in colour with aromas of wild berries, earth and peppery spice. Cherry and blackberry flavours merged into smoky peat elements and crushed black peppercorn in the lengthy finish. Embodying an enchanting mix of bright fruit, dense smoky earth and spice, this is a phenomenal value great for sipping by the fireplace.

Pinotage [I could not verify varietal percentage]
Stellenbosch
South Africa
Produced at Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery
13.5% Alcohol
$7
Enjoy now thru 2016

Fairview La Capra Pinotage 2009

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In an attempt to block out the cold and keep warm on yet another evening with below zero temperatures, I fancied a dense, plush glass to accompany dinner and curling up on the couch with my husband and the cats. As my husband was enjoying scotch, the peaty aroma caused me to think of Pinotage, so I gave a pour to Fairview La Capra Pinotage 2009. Fairview is a third generation family owned vineyard located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Records show that winemaking on the property extends all the way back to 1699. With this sense of history and responsibility; the Back family is committed to protecting the environment and sustainable farming. They use environmentally friendly products in both the vineyards and cellar, they are committed to water conservation and the restoration and planting of indigenous vegetation. They have the honour of being awarded as the first Carbon Neutral Cheesery on the African continent. La Capra is their newest label inspired by the La Capra festival, and created in easy drinking fruity style, meant for “early enjoyment and relaxed dining”.
 
Deep red-violet in colour, after aerating aromas of damp earth, smoky pink peppercorn and traces of cherry rose from the glass. Bright cherry and blackberry flavours joined smoky campfire elements in the medium to full body. Crushed black peppercorn, brambly wild berries and wisps of earthy peat smoke lingered in the velvety finish. Easy drinking, this is a plush glass that transports you nestled up to a cozy fireplace.
 
100% Pinotage
Western Cape
South Africa
Produced & Bottled by Fairview, Paarl
14% Alcohol
$9
Enjoy now