Wine Friday Returns
2007 Pinotage
Phanto Ridge
$14.99
14%
WS 86 Points
Sherry’s in Woodley Park, Washington, D.C.
I usually like to go on and on about wine. It can be terribly annoying. But then there's the bottles that disappoint or just leave you thinking...lazy winemaker.
That's the problem with just a ton of wineries these days. They are locations for weddings, not wineries. And some of the grandest, oldest names in the biz have gotten in the act. And for me, that's incredibly annoying.
That's the problem with just a ton of wineries these days. They are locations for weddings, not wineries. And some of the grandest, oldest names in the biz have gotten in the act. And for me, that's incredibly annoying.
in my cursory notes on this Pinotage, a grape varietal from South Africa made of Cinsault and Pinot Noir grapes, you'd think the national grape would be flawless all the time. But like Virginia's Cab Francs and Viogniers and France's Sancerres, they're not always as billed. And they're often what you'd think of as a national or state grape varietal. You'd think pretty flawless every vintage. But you'd be wrong.
Deep,dark fruit; Pinotage is kinda tobacoo-ey. Does have the "band-aid" taste on the nose. It’s a full-bodied red with a rich thick-tongued swathe of cherry and wood.
Generally, Robertson’s wines are not South Africa’s best. Pinotage from South Africa can be commanding. And why Robertson, one heck of a well-heeled winery, cannot make magic out of their grapes in anyone's guess. Wine Spectator did give it a better rating than I would have:
“A bit jammy, with fig and plum notes that gush forward, while hints of dark toast, spice and licorice fill in the background…"–James Molesworth
But overall, it lacks a strong finishfor me and was left wanting.
Still, it’s good to know where you stand next time you find yourself in front of the wall of wines and the South Africa section is facing you. Choose wisely and don’t choose Robertson’s.
I’ll let you know when it’s safe to go back into the waters again with Robertson’s.
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