Immediately impressive upfront, the nose of the 2017 Black Label Pinotage is open and expressive. The opaque core has deep purple edges, and the fruit is concentrated with the oak. The dense and chewy fruit expresses the full array of blue, black and dark red tones—dark plum, blackberry, black cherry with hints of blueberry fill the nose of the glass. On the palate, the fruit has a depth and breadth that is complex and gives pleasure. This is an impressive Pinotage bottling. The mid-palate is rich, full-bodied and is highly complex, while the finish is still youthful and has a firm tannic grip that will ensure this wine lasts for decades. Wow! This full-bodied wine ends with a long and highly complex finish with notes of dark chocolate. It is an impressive wine that will captivate your attention.
The nose of the 2016 Kadette Pinotage is black fruited with an herbal and black spice edge, with soft hints of oak and juicy plums. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush with an open core of fruit, lingering oak on the back end and subtle herbs and spices, with a decent, spicy finish.
The 2014 Black Label Pinotage has a well-defined bouquet with lovely cranberry and loganberry fruit, sage and a freshly tilled earth. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, a cooler and more masculine Black Label with a sense of reserve towards the finish, as if holding something back. There is plenty of freshness here, long in the mouth, but I would cellar this away for 4-5 years, because I am sure it will develop, rewarding secondary notes and flavors. Just 5,000 bottles produced.
The nose is cleaner and purer than the Cape Blend, with quite lush, macerated black cherries, blackberry and cedar fruit, quite reserved but nicely focused. The palate is well-balanced with slightly furry tannins. There is good depth of fruit here and well-judged acidity, with pleasant black pepper notes toward the finish.
