Tobacco leaf, cured sweet dried sausage and green peppercorns overpower the black cherry and currant fruit tones, making this an earth- and spice-driven style of Pinotage. The fruit, more skin than flesh, shows a touch more in the lush, firmly structured mouth, but the spicy core dominates yet again on the close.——L.B.(11/1/2011)—— 89

The bouquet takes a while to fully express itself, as scents of blackberry, cassis, licorice root and milk chocolate develop with time. Despite its age, the wine’s still tightly wound mouth offers firm tannins and flavors of leather, roasted vanilla bean and plum skins with good staying power. Drink now–2013.——L.B.(11/1/2011)—— 87

Overly rustic, with clumsy coffee and bittersweet cocoa notes dominating the core of mulled plum and currant fruit. The blunt, charcoal-tinged finish lacks purity. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,830 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–JM??Region: South Africa / Western Cape / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch / Stellenbosch Select to Add