Oracle Pinotage 2010

There are many of you that haven't heard of the Pinotage grape before. It is not one of the major international varieties, but it is a grape whose heritage does stem from these varieties even though it calls South Africa its home. That's because the Pinotage grape is a variety that was bred in South Africa in 1925 and it is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. During that time, the Cinsault grape was known by the name Hermitage, hence the mushing together of the two names to begat Pinotage.

It should be noted that this grape is a true viticultural cross and not a hybrid. A cross is a blending of two grapes from within a single species such as Vitis vinifera which is the species that both Pinot Noir and Cinsault belong to. A hybrid is when grapes from two separate species are crossed to produce something with traits of both such as the Norton grape which is a hybrid of Vitis vinifera and Vitis aestavalis.

Since its introduction back in 1925, the Pinotage grape has come to be known as the signature grape of the South African wine industry. It often produces wines deep red in color with a smoky, bramble or earthy flavor to it. There is also something about the terroir of South Africa that produces a smoky, almost burned rubber like aroma to the wines produced there. Coupled together, you tend to get a very distinct style of wine from this region and the Oracle Pinotage fits nicely into this category. This is a wine that I give four out of five glasses to, especially since it can often be found for less than $10 per bottle.

Tasting note:

This is a clear, deep purple colored wine with legs. It has a clean, developing, medium intense nose having aromas of blackberry and tobacco. It is a dry wine with medium(+) acidity, medium(+) alcohol, medium(+) tannin and medium(+) body. It has medium(+) intense flavors of balckberry, tobacco and tar with a medium(+) length finish. It is a good wine that is ready to drink now but will improve in the bottle.