2010 Black Label Pinotage
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Pinotage Black Label comes from a season that was affected by 150km/h winds in November that damaged the untrellised vines. It has a sensual bouquet with dark cherries, blueberry, liquorice and crushed violets, sophisticated and harmonious. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiseled tannins, demonstrating more tension than the 2007 with more mineralité towards the finish. It is less spicy and rustic than preceding vintages yet with longer persistence. Superb.
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Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Single plot of 57-year-old, dry-farmed bush vines, on decomposed granite and Hutton soils, harvested at 2.7 t/ha. Fermentation in open concrete fermenters at 28 °C, with manual punchdowns every two hours. Juice drawn off skins after three and a half days. 16 months in new, 225-litre French Nevers oak, mainly from Vicard. TA 5.9 g/l, pH 3.67, RS 1.8 g/l, VA 0.63 g/l, total SO 2 86 mg/l, free SO 2 45 mg/l. Mid garnet. Slightly subdued nose, giving woody, brawny tones and a smoky hint, with a core of dried red fruit. Juicy palate, then relatively rustic tannins kick in. Not that long. In the context of this vertical tasting, one of the less successful wines. (TJ)