My Wine of the Month for May 2016 is Simonsig ‘Redhill’
Pinotage 2006.
Pinotage was the first red wine made by Frans Malan, founder of Simonsig. That
was almost 50 years ago and Simonsig are still on the top of the game.
They make two Pinotages: one unoaked, which isn’t that common, and this one
which has seen 14 months in 100% new barriques, 89% French and 11% American white oak.
Redhill is a single vineyard wine that gets its name from the
low hill of red soil of decomposed weathered shale that rises behind the
winery.
This vintage won all the major awards going, including
Pinotage Top 10 in 2008 and 5 Platter stars, see photo below.
The back label says this wine will age for 6-8 years after
vintage but at 10 years old this still had plenty of life in it. However it’s
hard to believe that it could get even better than it is now.
It has the mark of a great mature Pinotage; sophisticated
nose with signs of sleek age on the palate with soft tannins, subdued fruit and
that delicious fruit sweetness that’s a hall mark of the variety. Soft subtle
and very classy. A delight from start to lingering finish.
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