On the palate the huge structure and potential are realized: It is a full, rich and mouth-filling wine with stewed-fruit flavours, a concentrated herb focus and supple tannins. The aftertaste lingers and lingers of this truly ambitious red wine. Such colour intensity that it is almost an opaque wine. The deep purple and scarlet tinge speak volumes about the character which is about to follow:
True, classic pinotage colour is forthcoming with its melange of plummy and forest-floor fruits, backed by layers of spicy oak, cinnamon and cloves. Rather like the sumptuous 1998, but broader; much broader. This is certainly not a seafood red! Try with rich and creamy casseroles, or a dish like home-made steak and kidney pie with flaky pastry. Excellent with game and game birds (even smoked venison), roast duck, and beef fillet with a pepper sauce. Will even stand up to ginger and anchovies in exotic sauces. Surprisingly appropriate with (or splashed over) strawberries. Non-conformists will be well advised to try it with chocolate mousse: it works wonderfully! Vegetarians could partner this Pinotage most successfully with a pumpkin risotto or cous-cous topped with rocket, red peppers or chilli. Serve at 16 to 18ºC.