Previously I tried a Pinotage that was from the Paarl region of South Africa.  It was a very nice medium bodied wine with excellent aromatics, and was a great

Neethlingshof 2012 The Owl Post Pinotage

glass of wine.  My most recent Pinotage adventure was another great wine this time from Stellenbosch.  This was the 2012 The Owl Post by Neethlingshof.  It was quite different in style than other versions of Pinotage I’ve tried, and I found it to be a very well made wine which carried many great attributes.  It is a great example of how versatile the Pinotage grape can be, as it can be vinified into many different styles and can exhibit an array of different characteristics.

About the Wine:  An estate wine, The Owl Post is a single vineyard Pinotage.  The wine is full-bodied, apprearing dark garnet red in color along with cedar and spice on the nose with aromas of oak, coffee and ripe red berries.  It has a nicely balanced structure, that comes along with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and spicy raspberry followed up with a silky smooth finish.  This is a finesse wine, with just the right amount of oak and is big and full flavored.  I was very impressed with how the wine presented itself and this is definitely a wine that has great aging potential. The wine was priced at $25, which I think is a fair price for a very well made wine.

The Winery:  Neethlingshof has a rich history in wine.  Located in the Stellenbosch wine region, The farm was initially established in 1692, and originally called De Wolvendans, which means the Dance of Wolves.  It was renamed Neethlingshof in 1828.  The winery has a wide selection of wines, which includes the Short Story Collection, the Premium Red Collection, and Premium White Collection.  The varietals range from reds such as Pinotage, Malbec and Merlot, along with whites such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, among many others.

The Region: Stellenbosch is a very well known and important wine region.  It is home to the majority of South African wineries, and wine growing here dates back to the late 1600’s.  There are several different soil types and variations in elevation that contribute to the region’s terroir.  The region has a very good reputation, and there are a lot of exciting wines being produced here.  There is also a wide variety of grapes planted, which include (among others) Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.

I am looking forward to the next Pinotage I try,  as well as more wines from Neethlingshof.

Cheers!