31 July 2014

WoTM : Fleur du Cap Pinotage Roobernet 2001



My wine of the Month for July is truly a rarity. Indeed, it deserves the overused word ‘unique’, for it is a blend of two South African varieties, Pinotage and Roobernet.

Roobernet is a crossing between Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet.  Professor Chris Orffer at Stellenbosch University thought and intended that the latter vine was South Africa’s historic Pontac. Both are rare teinturer varieties, meaning their flesh and juice are red instead of clear like nearly all other wine grapes. The crossing was made in the vineyard and Prof Orffer had doubts later and DNA examination showed the true parentage

Roobernet doesn’t appear to have grabbed winemakers attention. This is the only bottle I have seen its name on, although I understand it has subsequently appeared in occasional blends but the only varietal I am aware of is a Cape Ruby port style Roobernet made by Jacques Smit.

I expect, tho’, that it appears uncredited in some red wines as teinturer grapes make very deep red-black wines useful for adding colour to otherwise pale red wines.

I bought this wine, the first and last, Pinotage Roobernet made by Fleur du Cap at their cellar shop at the Bergkelder in Stellenbosch, carried it back to the UK  and kept it for a special occasion.  A recent discussion about Pontac reminded me that I’d kept it long enough.

I feared it may be passed its best, but I think at 13 years old I found it at its peak. I have no idea what Roobernet should taste like, but its 45% contribution seems to have given a solidity and base notes to the 55% Pinotage majority. This was a four square serious adult wine, full bodied with a sweet core to give lift (presumably from Pinotage) and an discrete spiciness. I greatly enjoyed it with dinner and if they make any more, I’ll be buying.

28 July 2014

Pinotage Top 10 2014 -- The Finalists

The 20 Finalists of the 2014 ABSA Top 10 competition are:

Allée Bleue - 2012 Allée Bleue Pinotage
Bellingham  - 2013 Bellingham The Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage
Beyerskloof - 2011 Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage
Delheim - 2012 Delheim Vera Cruz Estate Pinotage
Dewaldt Heyns - 2012 Weathered Hands Pinotage
Diemersdal Landgoed - 2013 Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve
Eikendal Vineyards - 2012 Eikendal Pinotage
KWV - 2012 KWV The Mentors Pinotage
Maastricht Wines - 2013 Maastricht Pinotage
Nuy Wynkelder -  2013 Nuy Barrel Selection Pinotage
Olsen Private Vineyards - 2012 Olsen Pinotage
Perdeberg Wynkelder - 2012 Perdeberg The Dry Land Collection Pinotage
Rhebokskloof -  2012 Rhebokskloof Pinotage
Rijk's Cellars - 2010 Rijk's Reserve Pinotage
Simonsig Landgoed 2012 Simonsig Pinotage Redhill
Spier 2012 Spier 21 Gables Pinotage
Stanford Hills 2012 Stanford Hills Jacksons Pinotage
Whalehaven Wines 2012 Whalehaven Pinotage
Wildekrans Wine Estate 2012 Wildekrans Pinotage Barrel Select Reserve
Windmeul Kelder 2013 Windmeul Pinotage Reserve

There's an interesting mix of previous winners, Pinotage stalwarts, newcomers and some names quite new to me. From these 20 will come the final 'Top 10'.

Every year the Pinotage quality just gets better and better.

Congratulations to all and best wishes for the final.