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Stellenrust Pinotage

Year

2011
Varietal

Pinotage
Style

Smooth
Origin

South Africa
Pairing

Pork
$15.00 per bottle
Qty: 

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Origin
South Africa has been quietly producing world-class wine for nearly 350 years. Surrounded by water on three sides, its proximity to both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans—as well as the Benguela Current, which pulls up cool air from Antarctica—results in lower mean temperatures than other wine regions of similar latitude. The vines, most of which are within a 100- mile radius of Cape Town, flourish in the nearly perfect Mediterranean climate.
Pairings
Part of the local identity, Pinotage is to South Africa what Shiraz is to Australia and Zinfandel is to California. And even more so than its international counterparts, Pinotage is a different animal when paired with food. The spice and light smokiness of this wine make it a superb accompaniment to grilled foods, especially red meat. Coffeeglazed pork ribs, pepper-crusted steak or barbecued lamb burgers will all play to the wine’s deep fruit and bold flavors. Alternatively, pick up on the wine’s spicy notes with a Moroccan lamb tagine or a South African Malay beef curry.

Serve at room temperature (64°F).
Griddled Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Herbs and Garlic
Winemaker
Although wines were first made there in 1928, Stellenrust did not begin to gain traction as a serious producer until it was acquired by the current owners. Winemaker Tertius Boshoff and general manager Kobus van der Westhuizen have completely rejuvenated the winery and its nearly 500 acres of estate vineyards. The cornerstone of the winery’s rehabilitation and expansion is the newly planted vines in the so-called Golden Triangle, a section of the country’s premier wine zone, Stellenbosch, that is famous for its concentrated reds. Another section of vineyard in the cooler Bottelary Hills provided some of the lighter, more aromatic fruit for this Pinotage.
The Wine
Bred in 1925 by the viticulturalist Abraham Perold, Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Like Pinot Noir, Pinotage is notoriously fussy and has historically yielded controversial wines. Unflattering descriptors like “burning rubber” and “roadkill” have been common. But Stellenrust has been at the forefront of improved practices in the vineyard and winery, consistently producing some of the country’s best examples. This entry-level offering from 2011 features a mélange of aromas ranging from black cherry and plum compote to Earl Grey tea to chocolate and smoke. Slightly earthier tones emerge in the mouth, adding intrigue to the wine’s clean, bright fruit.

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