Sign In | Register | Feedback?
Buying Guide  >  All Varietals  > 

Pinotage

Pinotage is a hybrid between Pinot Noir and Cinsault that’s grown almost exclusively in South Africa. It produces deep red wines high in tannins with smoky dark fruit flavors accented by earthy bramble characteristics. Pinotage is also commonly blended with other varieties, producing what is referred to as a Cape Blend in South Africa. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Pinotage among our extensive Pinotage wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Pinotage reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Pinotage, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.

> 234567 >>
Showing items 1 through 8 of 252
91
points

Rijk's 2007 Reserve Pinotage (Tulbagh)

  1. $75
With only 20 cases imported, this will be a tough find but it’s certainly well worth the hunt. This high-end Pinotage is lush and creamy, the oak-driven notes of dark chocolate and smoky cigar spice fusing seamlessly with the damson plum and dark berry preserve fruit center. Though dense and powerful, the long finish is surprisingly vibrant and spicy all at once.  — L.B.  (11/1/2011)
91
points

Diemersfontein 2008 Pinotage (Wellington)

  • Editors' Choice
  1. $20
The label reads “The Original coffee/chocolate Pinotage” and boy are they right! This is pure decadent bliss with intense aromas of crème de cacao, raspberry chocolate sauce and coffee granules along with hints of hickory bacon and tobacco. The mouth is huge, ripe and full, with a balanced structure and gorgeous flavors of juicy mashed black raspberries, plum flesh…  — L.B.  (9/1/2010)
91
points

Fairview 2009 Primo Pinotage (Coastal Region)

  • Online Exclusive
  1. $30
A stunning Pinotage that shows great varietal character in its aromas and flavors of black cherry and currant infused with spicy notes of biltong, bark, clay, cinnamon and soft tar. The wine is firmly structured, with gripping tannins and medium acidity, striking a balance between the astringency of the tannins and freshness of the fruit. Nuances of baking spice…  — L.B.  (5/1/2012)
91
points

Kaapzicht 2007 Steytler Pinotage (Stellenbosch)

  1. $30
Named after George Steytler, who farmed the estate from 1946 to 1984, this gorgeous Pinotage is powerful yet defined. Dense black berry fruit flavors are laced with notes of sweet cedar and spice. Tight tannins provide a firm structure to the rich fruit flavors, and the endless finish offers notes of dark chocolate truffle and black pepper. Drinkable now, but could…  — L.B.  (12/15/2011)
91
points

Diemersfontein 2006 Reserve Pinotage (Wellington)

  • Editors' Choice
  1. $25
A beautiful Pinotage with superb expression and balance. Intriguing aromas of spicy cured meat, pepper, raw vanilla bean and mulled boysenberry abound, while the lush mouth offers concentrated dark fruit flavors of plum preserves and berry pie filling. Enjoyable now thanks to a creamy texture and silk tannins, though this wine also shows the potential to cellar for…  — L.B.  (12/15/2011)
90
points

Spice Route 2009 Pinotage (Swartland)

  1. $23
A forward, oak-inspired character leads the nose with scents of vanilla and soft toast, but is supported by the solid fruit core of blueberry, mulled boysenberry and black plum guts. Attractive and rich in the mouth, with a firm but accessible structure and lifting acidity. Drink now–2015.  — L.B.  (5/1/2012)
90
points

Neil Ellis 2006 Pinotage (Stellenbosch)

  • Editors' Choice
  1. $19
A nose of spicy, jammy, balanced fruit leads on this exemplary Pinotage from Neil Ellis. The wine offers a very appealing blend of red fruit and spice, and while the acidity is pronounced, the mouthfeel is full and elegant. All the hallmarks of Pinotage with a classy edge.  — S.K.  (9/1/2008)
90
points

Simonsig 2006 Redhill Pinotage (Stellenbosch)

  • Online Exclusive
  1. $30
 — S.K.  (11/15/2008)
> 234567 >>
Showing items 1 through 8 of 252

Most Reviewed Regions

Israel New Zealand South Africa US

Most Reviewed Producers [All]

Arniston Bay Backsberg Baobab Barista Barkan Bellingham Bergsig Beyerskloof Boland Bon Cap Bosman Family Vineyards Brahms Café Culture Camberley Cape Indaba Cape View Chamonix Clos Malverne Darling Cellars Deetlefs Delheim DeWaal Diemersdal Diemersfontein Dieu Donne Doolhof Durbanville Hills Ernst Gouws & Co. Fairvalley Fairview False Bay Fleur Du Cap Fort Ross French Hill General Bilimoria Golden Kaan Graham Beck Grangehurst Groot Constantia Hartenberg Hidden Valley Indaba Jacobsdal Juno Kaapzicht Kanonkop Ken Forrester Kumkani KWV La Capra Presented by Fairview Laborie Landskroon Lanzerac L'Avenir Leopard's Leap Lindhorst Lions Drift Longboard Longridge Makulu Malan MAN Vintners Marklew McNab Ridge Middelvlei Montestell Môreson Morgenhof Nederburg Neethlingshof Neil Ellis Nitída Oracle Out of Africa Painted Wolf Pine Crest Rawson's Remhoogte Riebeek Cellars Rijk's Robertson Winery Rooiberg Scali Seidelberg Serengeti Simonsig Sinnya Slaley Slaley Estate Slanghoek Southern Right Spice Route Spier Springfontein Stellar Organics Stellenzicht Stormhoek Swartland Tall Horse Te Awa Farm The Big Five Collection The Yellow Cellar Tormentoso Tribal Tumara Vino Con Brio Warwick Westerland Wildekrans Winery of Good Hope Zonnebloem
What We're Tasting
96

2009 Merry Edwards Meredith Estate

Here’s a Pinot to put into your cellar. That’s if you can keep from…
(Sponsored)
Facebook Activity
Twitter Activity
About Us| Subscribe| Subscribe Digitally| Advertise| Contact Us| Submissions| Tasting Panel| Classifieds| Career Opportunities| Privacy Policy | © 2012 Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All rights reserved.