Beeslaar Pinotage 2021

Abrie Beeslaar, winemaker at Stellenbosch property Kanonkop, also makes an own-label Pinotage from a Simonsberg vineyard planted in 1993 on granite. The 2021 growing season saw grapes ripen the latest ever, harvest some 10 days later than usual.

What was the impact of this? According to Beeslaar, more refinement and that does indeed seem to be the case. The nose red and black cherry, floral perfume, chocolate and spice while the palate is not massively full-bodied, the wine carrying its alcohol of 14.5% well. It would be an exaggeration to describe this as “energetic”, but it certainly has purity and a real brightness about it while the tannins are fine, the finish long and dry. A very stylish, seamless offering. Matured for 19 months in French oak, of which just about 50% was new. Price: R630 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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