Brand New from Sunny South Africa is the Barista Pinotage 2009.   Made in the Western Cape by the talented Bertus Fourie at Val de Vie wines this was designed from the start to have strong espresso Coffee like aromas with a softness of fruit and well balanced palate which can sit well on its own or with food.  

Coffee anyone?

To create this “coffee pinotage” as they like to call it, meant they had to firstly determine the correct parcels of fruit suitable for the wine.  Secondly fermentation took place using particular strains of yeast, while at the same time using various methods of fermention including traditional pumping over, fermentation in oak, and colour extration to get the right balance of flavours and colour.  Thirdly and most importantly the wine had to be aged in the appropriate type of oak barrel and at the appropriate toast levels to further enhance the coffee like flavours. 

So, what’s it like?  On the nose this wine is very coffee like, and good coffee at that, none of that instant rubbish.  Once we get through that, its chocolate, mulberry, redcurrants and brambly fruit, with some spice.  It has admirable complexity once you get into it.  On the palate it is a bit lighter than i expected, but decent structure with some tannin and good alcohol/fruit balance.  Fruit is very much as for nose.  The wine lasts a bit and has a nice finish, overall pretty good value for money, from a variety that can struggle sometimes.

You can check out thir very flashy website at www.baristawine.co.za

Hi all, just tasted this wine today and would like to share my thoughts.

Made by Charles Back of the fairview winery the grapes for the Goats do Roam Classic Label 2007 come from the Paarl, Perdeberg, Stellenbosch and Swartland regions.   This is a psychedelic blend of (take a deep breathe here..)

40% Shiraz, 18% Pinotage, 17% Cinsault, 13% Carignan, 10% Mourvedre and 2% Gamay Noir

Goats do Roam South African Red 2007

Made to look like a version of a Cotes du Rhone (hence the play on words in the title Goats do Roam/Cotes du Rhone, get it?). Well the Rhone Valley producers weren’t too fussed and tried to sue him at one stage but weren’t successful.  (He also has other wines named Goat Door, Goat Roti, Bored Doe and so one, aimed to mimick the wines of these regions in France)

So this is what “they” say (”they” being Goats do Roam Marketing people):

“Vibrant ruby red colour. Rich red fruit aromas, with cloves and spiciness. Rich medium bodied style, with subtle oak influences and soft tannins. Fruit flavours follow through onto the palate with supple tannins and a rounded finish.”

This is what i say:

Medium ruby colour with fairly obvious legs from its 14% alcohol.  On its nose clove spice hits you first then on that back of that i’m getting some slightly stewed blackberry fruit with a hint of vanilla.  Combined it reminds me of a warm blackberry tart with cream on the side.  The palate is medium in body almost verging on being light with soft tannins which are quite ripe.  Alcohol is quite evident in this wine on the back palate which is a bit of a down point for me. (it knocks it out of balance a bit).  The fruit coming through on the palate is again blackberry with hints of plum and raspberry with the warming spice of clove and hint of pepper on a medium length creamy finish. 

Overall this is pleasant everyday wine which offers plenty of flavour for its price.  While never going to be a world beater it certainly doesn’t disappoint in the value for money stakes. Should be good with a bar-be-que (if we ever get the weather) or alternatively with spicy tomato based pastas. 

For a limited time you can buy this wine for £74.99 per case making a saving of £8.89 on standard retail.

Visit the website to find out more about Goat do Roam wines