Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage 2013

Large and in charge.

Stellenbosch property Lanzerac was owned by business tycoon Christo Wiese from 1990 to mid-2012 when it was bought by a consortium and is now emerging from a period of vineyard overhaul, according to winemaker Wynand Lategan.

Historically, Lanzerac has always been associated with Pinotage and the cellar continues to offer an ultra-premium version, the Pionier 2013 currently available at R600 a bottle.

From a single vineyard planted in 1996 and 2.38ha in size, juice was fermented spontaneously and the wine was matured for 22 months in French oak, 50% new.

On the nose, some floral perfume before red cherries, plums, chocolate and earth while the palate shows good fruit concentration, bright acidity and firm but not coarse tannins – this is a deep, rich and compelling version of the variety.

#WinemagRating: 92/100.

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