Southern Right
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinotage
Western Cape, South Africa
I was seduced by words when I bought this bottle - I imagine that's happened to all of us. A little placard next to the wine extols its virtues and you can't help but purchasing. Add in the fact that I'm a big Pinotage/ S. Africa fan and there was no turning back. The alcohol streaks through in the nose (14%) followed by black berries, black plums, a bit of cedar and black pepper, and rounded out with some sweet cooking spice. Following that, though, the palette tends to disappoint. Dark earth and black fruit come and go pretty quick, with a finish of vanilla oak. It's not a bad wine, but for the price ($30) and general lack of Pinotage-y-ness you can do better. I do love the wine label, though, and the winery also makes a conservancy contribution with every bottle sold.
I was seduced by words when I bought this bottle - I imagine that's happened to all of us. A little placard next to the wine extols its virtues and you can't help but purchasing. Add in the fact that I'm a big Pinotage/ S. Africa fan and there was no turning back. The alcohol streaks through in the nose (14%) followed by black berries, black plums, a bit of cedar and black pepper, and rounded out with some sweet cooking spice. Following that, though, the palette tends to disappoint. Dark earth and black fruit come and go pretty quick, with a finish of vanilla oak. It's not a bad wine, but for the price ($30) and general lack of Pinotage-y-ness you can do better. I do love the wine label, though, and the winery also makes a conservancy contribution with every bottle sold.
2 people found it helpfulAug 3rd, 2015
Cherries. White pepper. Light spice.
Cherries. White pepper. Light spice.
May 22nd, 2016
This is my first Pinotage experience and I am quite pleased. Layers of elegant blackberry and black plum, alongside cocoa that has a smoky coffee kick. Perfect drinking wine!
This is my first Pinotage experience and I am quite pleased. Layers of elegant blackberry and black plum, alongside cocoa that has a smoky coffee kick. Perfect drinking wine!
Dec 14th, 2015Heard this is the best pinotage for the price. I think I might have had pinotage once before but I'm pretty happy with this wine. And frankly, it has a nice label. I got this for ~$20 after tax and it's ok at that price point but I wouldn't pay more for it.
Heard this is the best pinotage for the price. I think I might have had pinotage once before but I'm pretty happy with this wine. And frankly, it has a nice label. I got this for ~$20 after tax and it's ok at that price point but I wouldn't pay more for it.
Oct 23rd, 2015
Some structure, not too tannic, some old leather or dairy. Not the best value at $25 I think.
Some structure, not too tannic, some old leather or dairy. Not the best value at $25 I think.
Feb 22nd, 2015
