2006 Spice Route Pinotage

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 87.8 points

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  3/13/2011 - sonofabacchus wrote:

  Won't rate because I am not particularly a fan of Pinotage nor have I had enough of them. I'll just relate my bottle experience.
  
  This was better on the second day. Freshly lubricated automobile chassis nose with some off-putting burnt rubber more evident on the first day. Coffee, dark chocolate, allspice and maybe a hint of cinnamon overlaying the red fruit. Flat and coating with a definite finish that is medium. The flavor really is a subjective thing with Pinotage. I also prefer drier wines. This has a stated 14.5% alcohol content, but it does leave you wondering, "Where's the Heat?" I think this is well made and would be great for those who genuinely like this style of wine. It needs food, but not the macaroni and cheese (I know; big surprise - unmatched and hardly haute cuisine) I had with it on day 2. A good pairing and a receptive palette does make for a great value wine here though. It is in its moment as well. Needs breathing, obviously, but I don't think it will benefit much from further cellar time.

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  10/27/2009 - MindMuse wrote: 89 Points

  Pinot Planet (Murphy's): I am always wary of pinotage, but this one was good. None of that awful Band-Aid smell. More of tobacco, black raspberry, oak, maybe some roasted peppers and meats. Would buy around $20, but not at offered price @ 26.

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  7/21/2009 - Sakas wrote: 88 Points

  My first experience with Pinotage. I really enjoyed this.
  
  A little lighter than I expected. Medium bodied. Could be more expressive on the nose. Wonderfully fresh on the palate with predominantly cherry followed by spice, orange peel, and smokiness on the mid palate. A little oak showing on the finish. Medium-short finish.
  
  Buy again if found on sale.
  
  Second Day - Not as good as yesterday. Fruit has faded and tannins are showing much more on the back end. Off balance and not great.

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  6/1/2009 - up4wine wrote: 89 Points

  1st South African wine and it was an extremely pleasant surprise. The nose was bright and lively. The origin of Pinotage in the Pinot Noir is apparent in the nose. The wine was full of nuanced flavors ranging from cherries and berries to pepper. We thoroughly enjoyed the very long finish. My wine text indicates that one may fine hints of banana; maybe I got that or maybe it was just the smooth even flavor toward the end. It really complimented the grilled salmon, tomatoes and coleslaw. I will not hesitate to experiment with more from this region.

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  11/23/2008 - MarcInDSM wrote: 87 Points

  Interesting wine. I didn't get the tannins others did, which is too bad because I like tannic wines. I opened it about 3 hours before starting to drink it; perhaps they subsided. I usually don't get the smokiness others talk about with pinotage, but with this one I got it, and it was almost overwhelming. The aromas were nice with some vanilla, black cherry, and a touch of orange or banana peel. The flavor was really dominated by smoke with a bit of oak and black cherry. Liked it, but didn't meet my expectations.

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