Kanonkop Pinotage 2003

Firefighter.

As winter in Cape Town starts to really bite, a mild lamb and spinach curry for supper was called for. What to pair with it? Feeling in expansive mood, I opted for a bottle of Kanonkop Pinotage 2003. I think Pinotage drunk with curry works well – the great virtue of the variety is its generosity of fruit while its drawback is perhaps it’s big tannins and what the pepper and spice of the dish do is increase the perception of fruit even more while subduing that tannic harshness.

On opening, the Kanonkop showed black cherry, turned earth and a certain maltiness. Past its best? Not at all. With time in the glass, more red berries and spice to the fore. The fruit still very well defined on the palate and the wine appearing remarkably refreshing despite an alcohol by volume of 14.5%. The tannins meanwhile were nicely resolved providing a smooth, mellow texture. By no means a perfect wine but true to itself and the source of great drinking pleasure.

Score: 91/100.