Local hero Diesel Pinotage among best of the best, time and again

PRODUCED “to exhibit the individuality of South Africa’s indigenous grape in ultimate cellar artistry” – and to honour a dog! Diesel was the name given to a beloved canine friend of South Africa’s Pinotage ambassador Beyers Truter, and it’s the name of the flagship wine from the Pinotage specialists at Beyerskloof, Stellenbosch.

Diesel Pinotage has pretty much everything going for it: Top 10 in the SA Wine Classification, Top Wine SA Hall of Fame, with the 2014 vintage following a succession of award-winning vintages in earning a trophy at the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK), one up on the double gold medal collected at Veritas 2017 (SA).

2018 marked the 30th anniversary since ‘Mr Pinotage’ bought the farm and began building the brand that is Beyerskloof. Truter Jnr (Anri) has taken over as cellarmaster, although apparently he does let his pa into the cellar after dark… The outfit is one of the top red wine producers in the country, with a portfolio of 11 wines including nine made from Pinotage, ranging in price from around R70 a bottle for the ‘standard’ Beyerskloof red, rosé and white(!), up to the Diesel and the Cape Blend, Faith, for which pricing is as to be expected for a couple of the very best in their league and coming from where they do.

 

BEYERSKLOOF DIESEL PINOTAGE 2014
WO Stellenbosch. Bush vines. Fermentation involved five days in open casks, with punchdowns every two hours and a temperature average of 26°C. Malolactic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks. Maturation in French oak barrels (100% new) for 18 months. Selection of best barrels (22 from 300).
Alc 15 | RS 3 | TA 6 | pH 3.5
Winemaker’s Tasting Note: Rich blackcurrant and black cherry upfront combines with elegant cedar oak aromas. Big structure with intense dark fruit flavours. Complex middle leads to smooth finish with cedar flavours.
IWSC Judges’ Tasting Note: Hints of licorice, mint, coffee beans and smoky aromas. Great concentration of flavours on the palate, silky smooth texture, long finish with a hint of chocolate.
Ageing Potential: 10 years or more after vintage.
Food Pairing Suggestion: Spicy Indian dishes or a well-matured rump/sirloin steak.
R750 pb at the cellar door in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch.

 

 

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