Silkbush Mountain Vineyard’s Pinotage is complex, rustic and earthy with soft dark fruit and a touch of smoke.
Silkbush Mountain Vineyard’s Lion’s Drift 2009 Pinotage
A new generation of terroir-driven wines has arrived from South Africa and I am pleased to have yet another unique and quality wine to pair with my favorite meals and share with friends!
For those of you who don’t branch out and try wines that you might not be so familiar with, this is a great time to do so and experience South African Wines like you never have before. Pinotage, South Africa’s signature grape, is a cross between the French grape varietals Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It was bred in 1925 at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. After years of export bans, apartheid and outdated winery practices, there is now a whole new era in quality wine production by well-educated wine makers and lucrative financial investments made into the South African wine industry.
Quality wines are now flowing out of the terroir-driven South African vineyards in Breedekloff in the Western Cape and Silkbush Pinotage well represents this unique and interesting variety that once struggled for acceptance internationally.
It’s not what you would expect from a New World wine. It is a terroir-driven,well-balanced full-bodied wine with balanced fruit and tannins. The slight smoky aroma is characteristic of a South African Pinotage but does not overpower nor does the dark fruit take over. The fruit is harmonious with the hint of smoke and exotic spices you can detect on the palate and nose such as vanilla bean, crushed fennel seeds and roasted almonds.
Lion’s Drift is great for pairing with the upcoming holiday meals and can hold up well to intensely flavors foods such the ever popular smoked turkey for Thanksgiving, grilled sausages, a thick steak, wild game such as venison or other exotic meats. Some of my favorite pairings would be smoked prime rib or charcoal grilled rack of lamb highly seasoned with cumin, fenugreek, fennel, garlic or your favorite curry powder blend. Lamb is rich and meaty with a slightly gamey taste and big, bold spices work well with this grilled dish. Just rub olive oil, garlic and your own mixture of the Middle-eastern inspired spice blend Vadouvan or just purchase a bottle of the mix. Either way, it is a perfect pairing with Lion’s Drift Pinotage 2009.
Silkbush Mountain Vineyard’s Lion’s Drift Pinotage 2009 was provided by Alana Gentry of South Atlantic Wines, agent and importer of fine wines.
Purchases are available online. Just click here to get the details!
Priced under $20