30 November 2022

WoTM - Sutter Ridge 1996 Pinotage



My Wine of The Month for November is Sutter Ridge 1996.  


When I visited this winery in Amador County long ago it was growing 25 acres of Pinotage, the largest in the USA. I brought this bottle home but kept it too long.


But no, this 26-year-old wine was delicious. Showing the brownness of age, of course, but plenty of sweet fruit. No tannin, and surprisingly little sediment. A beautiful delicate wine.


The winery was pressurised by another winery with a similar name to change its name, but it now appears to have closed.






27 November 2022

Platter 5 Star Wines for 2023

 Platter's South African Wine Guide has announced its 5 Star wine for the 2023 Guide. Pinoate 5Stars are:


Beeslaar 2020


De Grendel Amandelboord 2020


Diemersdal Prospect 2020


Francois van Niekerk 2020


illimis 2021


Kaapzicht Steytler 2020


Kanonkop Black Label 2020*


Survivor Reserve 2020



Red Blends, with Pinotage


Beyerskloof Faith 2018*


* = Category Winner

08 November 2022

RIP Pat Del-Gatto

Pat Del-Gatto

Very sad news from Ontario. Pat Del-Gatto winemaker/owner of Del-Gatto Estates passed away on 15 Sept 2022 from complications following a stem cell transplant.


His widow, Heidi, tells me

We had wonderful 2020 and 2021 Pinotage vintages - both quickly sold out.

 

He was able to finish his 2021 vintages (as I always helped him with the work) and our kids completed all the bottling spring 2022 while he was in hospital.


See the report of my meeting with Pat when I visited Del-Gatto Estates by clicking here.


www.del-gattoestates.ca