My Wine of the Month for December is Kanonkop Estate 2006 Pinotage.
I've been buying and keeping Kanonkop for decades and while they are great young they are sublime with a decade or more aging. This was one of three remaining from 15 that I bought in April 2009. I will drink the others soon because, although I think they will keep for years more, they are at their peak now. This was one of three remaining of 15 bought in April 2009. Pinotage's youthful exuberance has been replaced by linear sophistication, with underlying Pinotage sweetness. A delightful drink that was soon emptied.
Dave McIntyre in The Washington Post rates as ‘exceptional’ Pinotages from Kaapzicht and Lievland. He says ‘Pinotage is South Africa's equivalent of California’s Zinfandel’. Of the Kaapzicht Pinotage 2016 he says ‘Kaapzicht makes a lovely, bright version with berry fruit and a good frame of tannin to sustain the long finish.’ Lievland Vineyards Bushvine Pinotage 2017 is ‘a more savory expression of Pinotage, from old vines. There is dark fruit here, but the lasting impression is a comforting earthiness, with hints of wild mushrooms and forest air ... this wine’s stillness suggests power waiting to be unleashed.’ Read the full reviews here. Dawn Egan for The Irish News makes her Wine of the Week the Co-op’s Irresistible Swartland Pinotage 2017 made by Duncan Savage. She says it’s ‘smooth, juicy, fruit forward, plummy style’ and ‘would make a great pairing with a roast leg of lamb Sunday dinner, given its bold brambly, mulberry fruits, hint of smoky spiciness and long finish.’ Read the full review here.
