South African Pinotage: panel tasting results
Our second ever Pinotage tasting (and first in 22 years) was a huge success, with judges praising the significant evolution found in an extensive line-up.
Greg Sherwood MW, Victoria Mason and Roger Jones tasted 142 wines, yielding an impressive seven Outstanding and 69 Highly Recommended.
The Pinotage panel tasting scores
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 7
Highly recommended 69
Recommended 59
Commended 7
Fair 0
Poor 0
Faulty 0
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release 100% Pinotage still red wines from any region in South Africa.
The cliché of Pinotage being a real ‘Marmite’ wine is definitely starting to fade as more producers continue to craft high-quality wines. More than anything, thanks to wide-scale plantings and parcels of older vines, Pinotage wines exude a true sense of place, with the best examples grown on all three of South Africa’s main soil types; ancient sandstone, shale, and decomposed granite.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Pinotage tasting notes and scores
Pinotage, like Chardonnay, allows a winemaker to make their personal mark stylistically. But the variety’s true strengths and unique selling points include being able to make a host of dry red styles – wines with a lot of upfront juicy fruit that also possess excellent medium- to long-term ageing ability.
Decanter’s first Pinotage panel tasting was held back in 1999. With an impressive 142 entries on this occasion, our panel’s hopes were for a real diversity of styles and a vast improvement in quality. After two full days of tasting, Victoria Mason said her expectations were more than fulfilled. She felt that, from the light and subtle to the bold and the powerful, Pinotage was capable of creating delicious wines made in very different ways: ‘Picked early to ensure lower alcohol levels and superb freshness, or picked later at 14%-15% alcohol, Pinotage has the ability to carry both the ripeness and alcohol with harmony and balance on the palate with relative ease.’
Roger Jones flew the flag for the ‘crowd-pleasers’, saying they ‘should not be dismissed for highlighting the chocolate and espresso fruit-bomb style that so many consumers continue to seek out and enjoy’.
Mason had this to add: ‘A thread that ran through almost all of the wines – and which we all commented on numerous times – was the refreshing acidity which brought balance to concentrated, sweet fruit and higher alcohol levels.’ Jones was also keen to point out the influence of regionality on the wines’ quality and style. While Swartland produced wines with ‘spice, texture and a dark bramble wildness’, he found Stellenbosch and the Cape South Coast, including Elgin and Cape Agulhas, ‘delivered refined, elegant styles that were more gentle on the fruit’.
Mason agreed: ‘The alcohol levels were typically lower and the acidity almost bracing, which made for such drinkable, moreish wines – wines that closely resemble their Pinot Noir and Cinsault heritage and redefine the old-fashioned view of what Pinotage is.’
While the judges found a few wines overextracted and overblown, they were generally impressed by the oak handling. Mason said: ‘The tasting demonstrated time and again that Pinotage shows a natural affinity to generous oak treatment – both French and American – and that it is equally at ease unoaked or aged in large, old oak.’
It was fabulous to try such a diverse range of Pinotage wines and to experience how far these wines have evolved quality-wise. All judges agreed there were two dominant styles, and whether you like the light and subtle, or the bold and powerful, quality and refinement shone through in the top examples.
See the top-scoring Pinotage wines from the panel tasting:
The judges
Greg Sherwood MW is a London-based South African Master of Wine and fine wine buyer at Handford Wines. He publishes his Fine Wine Safari blog at gregsherwoodmw.com, and was the DWWA 2021 Regional Chair for South Africa.
Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. Now busy as a wine writer, judge and consultant with a particular focus on the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities, he was a DWWA 2021 judge for Australia and South Africa.
Victoria Mason is a wine buyer for UK supermarket Waitrose, responsible for sourcing its South African range since 2016. First a DWWA judge in 2019, she has focused on the South Africa category in the last two years.
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Beeslaar, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Beeslaar Wines is a small family-run business that specialises in handcrafted, high-end Pinotage originating from a single-vineyard site in the heart of the Cape Winelands....
2019
Beeslaar
Beyerskloof, Winemakers Reserve Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Established in 1988, Beyerskloof expanded its portfolio in 2001 to add Pinotage and Cape Blends. It owns 30ha of Pinotage vineyards in the Bottelary Hills...
2018
Beyerskloof
Darling Cellars, Chocoholic Pinotage, Darling, South Africa, 2020
Darling Cellars is on the west coast between Malmesbury and Darling. The cool, temperate climate lends itself to a variety of different micro- and meso...
2020
Darling Cellars
Rijk's, Private Cellar Pinotage, Tulbagh, South Africa, 2015
Rijk’s Wine Estate is northeast of Cape Town and east of the Atlantic ocean, and has a Mediterranean climate. Rijk planted 14ha of vines in...
2015
Rijk's
Spier, Seaward Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2020
The Spier team harnesses more than 300 years of winemaking heritage, and is committed to crafting wines truly expressive of their terroir, with minimal interference....
2020
Spier
Windmeul, Reserve Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2017
On the northern slopes of Paarl mountain, Windmeul Kelder was established in 1944. Today the cellar draws from a host of well-tended vineyards, which enables...
2017
Windmeul
Wolf & Woman, Pinotage, Swartland, South Africa, 2020
Jolandie Fouche was born in Cape Town and raised in the Swartland. After more than a decade of earning her stripes in the South African...
2020
Wolf & Woman
L'Avenir, Single Block Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Herby nose with clean and focused gentle cherries, blueberries, cedar, vanilla and hints of savoury notes. Elegant palate, fine-boned and textured with real class. Bright...
2018
L'Avenir
Lanzerac, Pionier Pinotage, Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Classic nose of dark berry fruits, damson plum, mulberry, clove, toast and hints of graphite. Rich and textured on the palate with a vibrant acidity....
2018
LanzeracJonkershoek Valley
Moreson, MKM Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2016
Fresh and restrained nose displaying nuances of menthol, fennel, raspberry, violets and blue fruits. It is silky on the palate with a notable depth and...
2016
Moreson
Painted Wolf, Guillermo Pinotage, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
Lifted aromas, punchy and brooding dark fruit with toast and cedar notes, seasoned by tobacco leaf, prune and date scents. Opulent, dense and powerful, structured...
2019
Painted Wolf
Rijk's, Touch Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2018
Expressive aromas of plums, perfumed lavender and lilac, blueberries, sweet kirsch, chocolate and cured meat. Creamy on the palate with textural breadth and a punchy...
2018
Rijk's
Simonsig, Redhill Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Perfumed nose of violets, vanilla beans, cassis, mulberry, bramble and touches of tobacco and meatiness. Full and playful on the palate with fresh raspberries, and...
2018
Simonsig
Swartland Winery, Bush Vine Pinotage, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
Delicate complex nose with layers of dried herbs, blackberry, black plums, pepper, cedar, clove and cocoa. Well-textured, layered with well-judged subtle oak notes, and an...
2019
Swartland Winery
De Grendel, Amandelboord Pinotage, Durbanville, Tygerberg, South Africa, 2020
Aromatic scents of vine leaf, violets, crushed strawberries, blueberries and herbaceous notes. Very creamy palate with masses of concentration and fine-grained tannins.
2020
De GrendelDurbanville
Doolhof, Signatures of Doolhof Single Vineyard Pinotage, Wellington, South Africa, 2018
Savoury nose with notes of redcurrant jelly, wild strawberries, fynbos, black cherry and subtle toasty notes. Coll and precise palate, focused with silky tannins.
2018
Doolhof
False Bay Vineyards, Bush Vine Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2020
Appealing blackberry, violets, sour cherry, bramble and savoury herbs aromas. Lovely definition, firm yet elegant tannins with a persistent textured finish.
2020
False Bay Vineyards
Lyngrove, Platinum Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Full of aromatics on the nose with lovely, perfumed violets, vanilla, cedar, pomegranate, star anise, nutmeg and mulberry. Fresh and fleshy with a long savoury...
2018
Lyngrove
KWV, The Mentors Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Vibrant red fruits, black cherry, plum compote, crème brulée and cedary notes. Concentrated and powerful, with fleshy powdery tannins and a refreshing flavour.
2018
KWV
Simonsig, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Wild nose, earthy with sappy notes of hedge row, bramble, tea leaf, potpourri and red currant jelly. Light style, bright, with crunchy red currants and...
2018
Simonsig
Spier Wines, 21 Gables Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Lifted aromas of pristine oak, mint and spices, with undertones of tea leaves, bramble and black plums. Seamless texture and balance, with a delicate savoury...
2018
Spier Wines
Sumaridge Estate Wines, Pinotage, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2015
Opulent and ripe aromas of blackberries, black currant compote, Christmas pudding and layers of clove and vanilla. Rich and powerful, with freshness and a lovely...
2015
Sumaridge Estate WinesUpper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Beyerskloof, Diesel Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Savory nose with spicy scents of cedar, cinnamon and chocolate over black cherry and plum compote. Fresh on the palate with a tight-grained texture.
2018
Beyerskloof
Boland Cellar, Cappupino Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2020
Alluringly perfumed nose of cherry blossom, violets, lavender and crushed red berries with layers of roasted coffee. Well-textured with a subtle mineral note.
2020
Boland Cellar
Diemersfontein, Carpe Diem Reserve Pinotage, Wellington, South Africa, 2019
Fresh fruity aromas of sour plum, blueberry, potpourri and polished oak. Harmonious and opulent with a precise focused finish. Impressive and refreshing.
2019
Diemersfontein
Delheim, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Lovely notes of fresh raspberry, pomegranate, dried herbs, and subtle smoky toasty notes. Very concentrated with a fleshy textural harmony.
2018
Delheim
Glen Carlou, Collection Pinotage, Swartland, South Africa, 2020
Complex aromas of intriguing crushed black pepper, blackberry, dark plums, smoke and fynbos. Hugely concentrated, rich and spicy, with a creamy texture.
2020
Glen Carlou
Kanonkop, Estate Pinotage, Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Rich lifted aromas of polished mahogany, toast, clove, cedar and blueberry notes. Bright and fresh on the palate, plush and round.
2019
KanonkopSimonsberg
L'Avenir, Provenance Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Gentle aromas of perfumed mulberry, blackberries, vanilla and toast. Clean and precise with a juicy fresh acidity and a mineral finish.
2018
L'Avenir
Moreson, The Widow Maker Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Juicy nose of black currants, rich damson, plums, raspberry jam, tea leaf and toasty aromas. Exuberant palate with chocolatey fruit and vibrant acidity.
2018
Moreson
Piekenierskloof, Johan van Zyl Pinotage, Piekenierskloof, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa, 2019
Blackberry pie on the nose with notes rhubarb crumble, vanilla, baked pastry and cocoa. Velvety and vibrant on the palate with a mouthwatering finish.
2019
PiekenierskloofPiekenierskloof
Spioenkop, Pinotage, Elgin, South Africa, 2019
Lifted exotic aromas of peaches, raspberry herbal tea, freshly cut cedar, violets and tangerine. Refreshing on the palate with a lovely flavour punch.
2019
Spioenkop
B Vintners, Liberté Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2017
Restrained and focused aromas of bramble, violets and vanilla. Clean and pure, harmonious, with firm tannins and a refreshing acidity.
2017
B Vintners
Beyerskloof, Reserve Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Restrained aromas of toast, spice, bramble and blackberry with hints of violets. Brisk acidity, firm tannins and powerful fruit.
2018
Beyerskloof
Bowwood, Pinotage, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl, South Africa, 2018
High-toned perfumed nose of peach skin, potpourri, cherry, coconut and cedar. Ample mouth with a generous mid-palate and supple tannins.
2018
BowwoodVoor Paardeberg
Diemersdal, Reserve Pinotage, Durbanville, Tygerberg, South Africa, 2020
Opulent nose of crushed plums, blackberries, sandalwood and delicate cocoa and spices. Supple texture, soft and plummy long finish.
2020
DiemersdalDurbanville
Diemersdal, The Journal Pinotage, Durbanville, Tygerberg, South Africa, 2019
Aromatic nose of roses, bright blackberries, plums skin and vanilla beans. Creamy with velvety tannins wrapped in sweet fruit.
2019
DiemersdalDurbanville
Groot Constantia, Pinotage, Constantia, South Africa, 2019
Vibrant nose of lovely violets and lavender, jammy berries and spicy bramble. Cool sensual palate, precise, deep and focused.
2019
Groot Constantia
L'Avenir, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
Restrained aromas of dark broody black fruits, blueberries, red cherry and leafy spices. Soft and elegant palate with polished tannins.
2020
L'Avenir
Lutzville Vineyards, Francois Le Vaillant Pinotage, Lutzville Valley, Olifants River, South Africa, 2017
Fresh aromatic and floral nose, with notes of mahogany and raspberry. Generous fruit on the palate with chewy tannins.
2017
Lutzville VineyardsLutzville Valley
The Giant Periwinkle, Sun Spider Pinotage, Cape Agulhas, South Africa, 2019
Perfumed nose of dark preserved cherries, toast, bramble, fynbos and smoke. Focused on the palate with a bright tangy acidity.
2019
The Giant Periwinkle
Beaumont, Jackals River Pinotage, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2019
Floral nose of violets and roses with vibrant notes of crushed raspberries, red cherries and strawberries. Refreshing palate, succulent tannins.
2019
BeaumontBot River
Croydon, Covenant Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Open and expressive, showing notes of crushed raspberries, tea leaves, wild strawberries and cocoa. Silky and elegant palate, polished texture.
2019
Croydon
Chamonix Estate, Greywacke Pinotage, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2017
Spicy nose with herbal notes, liquorice, raspberry leaf and pomegranate with hints of flowers. Refreshing with a stony acidity.
2017
Chamonix Estate
Kanonkop, Black Label Pinotage, Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Toasty aromas with notes of star anise, clove, mulberry and cocoa. Mouth-watering acidity, full-bodied and concentrated with fine tannins.
2018
KanonkopSimonsberg
Longridge, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Gentle perfumed nose displaying scents of raspberry, mulberry, violet and spices. Lively palate with a vibrant acidity and weightless concentration.
2019
Longridge
Lievland, Bushvine Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2019
Refined and elegant aromas of blackberries, chocolate, grilled herbs and spices. Vibrant stony acidity with fine-grained tannins, harmonious.
2019
Lievland
Roodekrantz Wines, Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2018
Intense aromas of dark berries, liquorice, damsons, plums and dried rose petals. Appealingly tangy on the palate with lovely texture.
2018
Roodekrantz Wines
Neethlingshof Estate, The Owl Post Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Notes of red cherry compote, red plums, vanilla, cedar and meaty notes. Savoury on the palate with supple generous fruit.
2019
Neethlingshof Estate
Stellenbosch 1679, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Lovely nose of blackberries, red plums, violets, coffee, cedar and smoke. Creamy palate with very polished tannins. Persistent finish.
2019
Stellenbosch 1679
Allee Bleue, Old Vine Pinotage, Piekenierskloof, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa, 2018
Rich aromas of bramble blackberry, dark cherries, coconut, cedar and tobacco. Savoury tannins with a long mineral finish.
2018
Allee BleuePiekenierskloof
Doran Vineyards, Pinotage, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl, South Africa, 2019
Exotic nose of red currant jelly, red plums, leaves and raspberry. Fresh and savoury with a lively acidity.
2019
Doran VineyardsVoor Paardeberg
Maastricht, Pinotage, Cape Town, South Africa, 2020
Floral notes of potpourri and violets along with clove, kirsch. Concentrated and intense, textured with firm tannins.
2020
Maastricht
Cecilia Wines, Pinotage, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa, 2020
Spicy aromas with notes of violets, potpourri, blueberry, blackberry puree and smoke. Ripe tannins and refreshing acidity.
2020
Cecilia Wines
Diemersdal, Pinotage, Cape Town, South Africa, 2020
Rich, bold nose with brambly aromas, tar, sweet spices and chocolate. Wonderfully dense, harmonious and long.
2020
Diemersdal
Fram, Pinotage, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa, 2017
Opulent expression of creamy black berry fruit, violets, fennel and spicy notes. Structured with a focused acidity.
2017
Fram
Hill & Dale, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Lifted aromas of black plums, raspberry, chocolate, undergrowth and hints of molasses. Juicy fruit concentration, characterful.
2019
Hill & Dale
Kanonkop, Kadette Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Subtle nuances of ripe raspberries, coconut, spice blackcurrant and hedge row. Firm tannins with a lovely mineral edge.
2019
Kanonkop
Perdeberg, The Dry Land Collection Resolve Pinotage, Paarl, South Africa, 2019
Refined aromas of rose petals, cedar, graphite, milk chocolate and vanilla. Juicy opulent fruit with glossy tannins.
2019
Perdeberg
Waverley Hills, Pinotage, Tulbagh, South Africa, 2019
Floral and herbaceous nose with lifted notes of red cherry, tea and tobacco leaf. Fresh with granular tannins.
2019
Waverley Hills
Arusha, Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa, 2020
Nose of blueberries, black plums, green coffee beans, earth and vanilla. Ripe in the mouth, silky and fresh.
2020
Arusha
Fairview, Pinotage, Paarl, South Africa, 2020
Complex aromas of cedar wood, hedgerow berries, cocoa, and soft spices. Juicy and ripe, textured and supple.
2020
Fairview
Fish Hoek, Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa, 2020
Smoky nose of blackberries, dark cherries, graphite and savoury spices. Round tannins with a lovely balance.
2020
Fish Hoek
Koelenhof Wine Cellar, Koelenbosch Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Herbal aromas with sappy fruit notes and scents of violets, blueberry and cocoa. Powdery tannins, firm and structured.
2019
Koelenhof Wine Cellar
Lanzerac, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Restrained and elegant nose of gentle berry fruit, cedar and raspberry. Herbaceous moth with a fresh acidity.
2019
Lanzerac
Welbedacht Wine Estate, Pinotage, Wellington, South Africa, 2016
Polished nose showing black plums, peach, red currant and violets. Juicy on the palate with structured tannins.
2016
Welbedacht Wine Estate
Allee Bleue, Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa, 2018
Delicate aromatic perfume showing wild raspberries, red cherries, black currant, rose petals and vanilla. Grainy tannins with glassy acids.
2018
Allee Bleue
Lemberg, Spencer Pinotage, Tulbagh, South Africa, 2017
High-toned nose with balsamic notes, undergrowth, dried red berries, fresh cocoa and blueberries. Creamy and textured palate.
2017
Lemberg
Remhoogte, Vantage Pinotage, Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Lifted nose of violets, Victoria plums, savoury spices and blackberry jam. Bright and tangy acidity with ripe fruit.
2018
RemhoogteSimonsberg
Springfontein, Jonathan's Ridge Pinotage, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2017
Discreet hints of cocoa and spice, perfumed lavender and red berries. Vibrant and fresh with a saline finish.
2017
Springfontein
MAN, Bosstok Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2020
Bright polished nose of spices, liquorice, juicy red cherries and white chocolate. Powerful and fruit-forward with supple tannins.
2020
MAN
Stellenrust, Cornerstone Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019
Fresh nose of focused fruit, spices with savoury notes and vegetal touches. Exuberant on the palate with chocolatey fruit.
2019
Stellenrust
Zevenwacht, 7even Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
Meaty nose of bacon with notes of blueberries, red cherries, violets and spicy fruit cake. Juicy and approachable.
2020
Zevenwacht
