Spioenkop Elgin Pinotage 2016

Ever since Koen Roose received 5 Stars for the 2012 vintage of his Spioenkop 1900 Pinotage in the 2014 edition of Platter’s, his take on the variety has been an appointment reference for those who take an interest in the fortunes of South Africa’s very own. Tasting notes and ratings for the 2016s as follows:

Spioenkop 1900 Pinotage 2016
Approximate retail price: R295
80% Stellenbosch, 20% Elgin grapes. Matured for 12 months in French oak, 50% new. Some floral perfume before red cherry and pomegranate plus spice on the nose. Sweet and soft in the best sense, the extraction nicely judged.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

Guns blazing.

Spioenkop Elgin Pinotage 2016
Approximate retail price: R400
100% own grapes. 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 15 months in barrel, 60% new. Quite a heady mix of black cherry, flowers and earth plus a little oak spice on the nose. Really dense on the palate – impressive fruit purity, fresh acidity and quite firm tannins. Seems a little richer and riper than 2015.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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