The Grape Grinder 2015 Pinotage - 86pts

The Grape Grinder 2015 Pinotage (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 13th, 2017

Tasting Notes: Though prominent on the label, and in previous vintages, I found the coffee-mocha theme more subtle in the 2015 release of the Grinder Pinotage with a higher emphasis on intense, blackberry and cherry puree aromas and flavours. Supporting, savoury notes and yumtastic, dark chocolate and spice characters help elevate the full-bodied palate beyond a one-dimensional, jam-fest. Though, folks who don't like their reds a little off-dry will want to steer clear. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2017 IconWines.ca

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage - 85pts

The Grape Grinder 2013 Pinotage (W.O Western Cape) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.49 +taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 27th, 2016

Tasting Notes: A sweet'n'savoury, full-bodied Pinotage from the Western Cape with both coffee-themed branding and flavour profile on its mocha-berry-spice nose and the off-dry, dark chocolate-coffee grind-wild berry palate. Overall balance is a bit sharp, though, nice spice notes linger on the finish. A decent BBQ wine for the price. Drink now-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca

The Painted Wolf Wines 2012 The Den Pinotage - 85pts

The Painted Wolf Wines 2012 The Den Pinotage (W.O. Coastal Region) South Africa

Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $14.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: January 25th, 2016

Tasting Notes: The nose of this Coastal Region Pinotage blends wild berry fruit with sweet, cured meat and light incense aromas. Red and blue fruits are more prominent on the dry, full palate with toasty oak and spices filling in the flavour profile. A little rough around the edges but well priced for the intensity of fruit and solid typicity for the variety on offer. Drink now-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca 

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinotage - 88+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2009 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $25
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 1013 cases
Date Tasted: July 18th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Not that it wouldn't benefit from another 6-12 months of bottle aging prior to opening, but compared to the 2007 and 2008 releases, the 2009 Pinotage from Stoneboat Vineyards, a yearly favourite of IconWines.ca, is the most approachable example of this fine wine released in recent years. A yearly favourite due to its consistency and reliability, to not so much as resist vintage variation, but rather to adapt to it, producing a tasty, unique wine year-in-year-out.

On the nose, blueberry, prune and black pepper aromas mingle pleasantly with the likes of moody toasted oak, barnyard and saltine notes. The dry palate entertains with a vein of sweet dark fruit followed swiftly by savoury oak and spice flavours. The finish is tart, concentrated and balanced with lingering cracked pepper and a chalky texture. Drink 2011-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage - 89-90pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2008 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery. VQA stores in BC.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 851 cases
Date Tasted: June 27th, 2010

Tasting Notes: The Stoneboat Pinotage is a wine to seek-out each year and enjoy with friends - it's an unique wine that always delivers. However, the 2008 vintage would actually be best served by seeking-out and holding. We recommend a year of bottle aging (up to three years) to allow the wine to settle before popping the cork on this beauty. But not to worry, you will be rewarded by the wait.
 
The raw intensity of the tannins, acids, dark fruit and earthiness on the palate will round and integrate with more time and should create a wonderfully complex and intriguing wine. Full and weighty with excellent balance and finesse. Drink 2011-2016.
 - Liam Carrier

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage - 90+pts

Stoneboat Vineyards 2007 Pinotage (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Limited. Last year's vintage.
Cost: $24.90
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 715 cases
Date Tasted: July 19th, 2010

Tasting Notes: Stoneboat Vineyards sets the bar for Pinotage in BC, not that it's widely planted, but they are the best we've tasted. Year-in, year-out their Pinotage delivers the goods: concentrated flavours and intense aromas. Add food-friendliness and uniqueness and you have a great recipe for a fun bottle of wine.

Intense prune and red berry aromas on the nose are followed by bright dark fruit flavours and earthy notes on the palate. A smooth, full weight in the mouth with round tannins. The wine really does taste like an earthy Pinot Noir crossed with a juicy Cinsaut: its parentage personified. The 2007 is drinking beautifully now, rewarding those who have kept it in their cellar an extra year. Drink 2010-2015.
 - Liam Carrier

Beyerskloof 2007 Pinotage - 87 pts

Beyerskloof 2007 Pinotage (Stellenbosch) South Africa

Availability: BC Liquor Store

Cost: $15.99 (BC Liquor Store)

Tasting Notes: A very nice and unexpected wine from South Africa. The appearance was clear and light ruby. The nose exhibited bandaid (in a good way) and coffee which continued onto the palate with notes of strawberry. The finish was decent and overall this was a very nice wine, it was unique as well as light and flavourful.

My good friend from South Africa has been schooling me on the offerings from his homeland. His advice is that there are only a few good ones on the shelves these days so to really get the top notch stuff you'll have to visit. - HC