South African red wines

[LawrenceM]

Hi all,

I should start by saying that I am not very familiar with South African wines or winemaking processes in South Africa.

I have been trying quite a few South African reds recently (vintages from 2002 to 2009) and am finding that regardless of the variety (I have tried a number of cabernet sauvignon's, syrah's and merlot's) the wines have very prominent pepper/dust/earth aromas. I guess you could call this old world, but I am finding that the peppery aromas are especially prevelant.

Can anyone shed some light on this? I am sure it has something to do with the region (most of the wines I have tried come from Stellenbosh) and perhaps barrel treatment, but I am curious to see if anyone has the answer.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I have detected what I call a smoky, burnt rubber aspect in many South African reds which I attributed to pinotage, either on it's own or in a blend. An Obikwa cabernet I had a few years ago in Australia had a touch of that unmistakable smokiness and rubber and I figured it was due to some pinotage in the wine. However I have read that it might be a leaf roll virus that is causing this effect in the reds and attempts are being made to eradicate it.

I should say that not all South African reds are affected. I've had a syrah from South Africa, Graham Becks 'The Ridge', and it was pristine and pure, better that the Lehmann Eight Songs which was more than double the price.

Mahmoud.

[pdudley]

We found that some of the "reserve" pinotages that spent a long time in oak had that flavour. I don't remember coming across it in any of their straight cabernets or shiraz/syrah. The easier drinking pinotages (Leopards Leap comes to mind) do not have that flavour.

Cheers
Paul

[Mahmoud Ali]

I should add that there are some fine Pinotage wines that did not have the smoky, burnt rubber notes and those are ones I've decided to cellar. They were:

'04 Fairview "Primo" Pinotage,
'06 Moreson Pinotage,
'01 Beyerskloof Pinotage.

I'd recommend trying any of these producers. From what I've read recently pinotage has a very small window of ripening during which it must be harvested.

Cheers..................Mahmoud.

[Chuck]

The only SA Pinotage I've tried (can't recall its name) had that earthy/dusty flavours but it did not worry me. I thought the wine was very impressive and would certainly buy the variety again.

Chuck

[Mahmoud Ali]

Chuck, earthy/dusty I like, but the thing that people don't like is a burnt rubber, smokey tar-like notes that tends to overwhelm other aspects of the wine. The first time you experience it you will get an idea of what people complain about.

Mahmoud.