Tasting notes

South Africa’s signature variety, this Pinotage fruit was sourced from a single family vineyard in Oliver. A deep blackcurrant aroma, dusted with toasted nutmeg and mesquite, is echoed on the palate along with Mission fig and dark spice. Aging in American oak has rounded its stylish tannins playing off exotic flavours to produce an engaging finish.

Food pairings

Great with venison and game.

Awards

The signature grape of South Africa has found a home on the Okanagan Valley’s Naramata Bench. I like the dusty-dry texture and thoroughly dry finish of this medium-bodied red, which carries a more restrained whiff of the sometimes overbearing smokiness you’ll find in most South African examples. Try it with roast chicken... Beppi Crosariol

Winemaking

A tiny harvest of Pinotage for us in 2009 allowed a more “artisan” approach to this wine. Hand plunging and basket pressing produced an elegant, refined wine, while preserving the racy smokiness that is pinotage.