Allée Bleue Black Series Old Vine Pinotage 2017
By Christian Eedes, 15 April 2019
-
Share:
2
Most peculiar.
Grapes for the Allée Bleue Black Series Old Vine Pinotage come from a Piekenierskloof block of ungrafted bush vines planted in 1976, making for a rather particular wine – the 2016 among the winners of last year’s Absa Top 10 Pinotage competition.
The 2017 is now out, selling for R395 a bottle, and once again there’s no overlooking it. Matured for 16 months in French oak, 70% new, alcohol is 14.5%. The nose has a pronounced herbal, almost menthol, character to go with blackberry, liquorice, earth and spice while the palate is marked by dense fruit, fresh acidity and very firm tannins. Love it or hate it stuff.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
Find our South African wine ratings database here.
-
Share:
Dion Martin | 15 April 2019
Dear Christian
Love it or hate it… I assume that you loved it? 90 points silver medal.
Cheers Dion
Christian Eedes | 15 April 2019
Hi Dion, Frankly I didn’t really know what to make of it. Once tasted, you’ll never forget it so points for that but it’s debatable whether it’s entirely pleasurable…