When you’re so bad at adulting that you only just realise that today is 12 October?!? Happy International Pinotage Day everyone! And enjoy my panicked tasting notes.

Here’s one for the Pinotage sceptics. It’s bliksem young…but the new wave carbonic lighter styled Pinotage, and curiosity about a new Jurgen Gouws wine made this an obvious purchase. It’s a joint effort that includes David (wine distributor) and Jeanette Clarke and Scholtz Rossouw (wine grower).

Medium Ruby in appearance. As soon as I raised the glass to my nose, those red fruits (cherries, strawberries, raspberries) were a dead giveaway of the carbonic maceration involved. There’s also some spice (pepper, cloves, cinnamon). Dry, medium plus acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%) and crunchy tannins. Savoury, earthy, with a touch of salinity that ends in a medium plus finish of red fruit. Loving this finish! I was mildly concerned about opening a 2019, but after a few sips, this lighter style Pinotage is perfectly drinkable right now…and throughout the rest of summer! I’ll be repurchasing as it’s fantastic value for money.

Conclusion:

Balance (1) + Length (1) + Intensity (½) + Complexity (½)  = A good wine

Drink now, but there’s a curiosity about how this could evolve with a little time. It’s very young and deserves at least a year before drawing final conclusions.

Final thoughts:

This is a wine that’s part of a new wave style of less extracted, lighter styled, easy drinking Pinotage that, for me, better displays the qualities of it’s glorious parents. A Pinotage that, without the label, could be confused for a Pinot Noir. And I, for one, am really excited to see this style explored: celebrating it’s heritage, whilst paving it’s own distinctive path.