Stellenbosch Pinotage

Pinotage is something of a South African signature – the Cape’s very own grape variety, yielding a red wine that is rarely, if ever, found elsewhere. The variety materialised as a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is highly characteristic, delivering bold, smoky, earthy flavours that, if vinified carelessly, can be rather rustic. Not in the hands of the variety’s greatest champion, however – Stellenbosch’s acclaimed Kanonkop estate, whose refined renderings, highlighting the elegant Pinot Noir element, have led others to follow suit and garnered a growing following for this highly individual wine.