False Bay Bushvine Pinotage 2023

False Bay Vineyards was set up by Paul Boutinot in 1994 around old vines in the Coastal Region, and this Pinotage comes from bush vines in Stellenbosch. Pinotage is South Africa's own grape, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and it gives deeply coloured, fruit driven reds. Grown as free standing bush vines rather than on a trellis, the plants shade their own fruit and cope well with the summer heat, while the maritime influence off False Bay tempers the climate and keeps the grapes fresh. The wine ages eight months in oak barrels, enough to round the tannins and add a light smoke and spice through slow oxygen exchange without covering the fruit. At 14% alcohol it is ripe and generous. It pours a deep ruby purple. The nose shows plum and red berries with a smoky, peppery lift and a note of cocoa. The palate is full and rounded, the tannins soft and the finish warm and savoury. Serve at 17 degrees. It suits grilled and barbecued meats and lightly spiced dishes.