Beeslaar Pinotage 2016

Bomb diggity.

The 2016 vintage of Beeslaar Pinotage, the own label wine of Kanonkop’s Abrie Beelaar is the best yet. The back label refers to two heat waves during the growing season, the first in October during flowering and creating a smaller yield than usual and the second in January serving to give the fruit extra concentration.

Maturation took place in 25 French and two American oak barrels and lasted 19 months. The nose is very expressive – cherry, plum, banana, pink sweets , vanilla and spice plus more base notes of earth and reduction. The palate shows great fruit density – there’s a sucrosity upfront but this offset by  pleasantly grippy tannins, while the finish is long and savoury. A very refined offering. Wine Cellar price: R460 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

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