Raven's Croft Pinotage Rosé 2018

Raven's Croft Pinotage Rosé 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Raven's Croft wine is the eponymous label of South African Mark Ravenscroft (coincidentally at the time of writing the winery is up for sale if you're interested). Situated some 12KM west of the central township of Stanthorpe, in the Greenfields sub-district. Estate plantings (including this Pinotage fruit) are located at some 950m above sea level. 

Ravenscroft's first Rosé under his own label, it came about as a result of the estate Pinotage fruit suffering some hail damage early in the season and some portions not being considered sufficient for making as a single varietal Pinotage. Only a South African!

Pretty aromatics from the get go, as if to lure and entice. Savoury nuances, a light and airy structure around the palate, delicately weighted. Subtle spice betwixt berry flavours. 

Decent length. 91 

Tasted on: Saturday 15th June, a Flower to Leaf day 
Source: Cellar Door
Price: $26
Alcohol: 
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.ravenscroftwines.com.au

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Topper's Mountain Pinotage Viognier 2012

Topper's Mountain Pinotage Viognier 2012

  14:30    Stu.

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Unusual bed-fellows here, but then vigneron Mark Kirby hasn't always played by the rule book and success has often resulted. No quibbles here either, although it did show better on day two for this humble hack.

2009 bottle image

Blue-black fruit mix with a sprinkle of woody spice, rosemary perhaps. With some time and air that manifests itself as seasoned furniture.

Largely savoury palate, smooth -medium bodied and yet light on its feet. Seasoned fruit starts to discern itself a little further and barely there tannin - with a little pop of acid - reveal themselves towards the back palate.

Beefy, meaty, savoury and a 'brown' finish - if colour is your thing. 90

Tasted on: Wednesday 15th April, a Flower day
Source: Sample
Price: $32
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://toppers.com.au/

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Ravens Croft Pinotage 2011

Ravens Croft Pinotage 2011

  20:21    Stu.

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I think I'd oft considered Pinotage the variety "only a Mother could love". Seemingly grown by and sold to South Africans. I'd heard bad things about the variety: variously gamey or smelling of rotten meat. It's certainly an interesting variety, being a cross between two very different parents, being Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

So, hearing good things about this example, and being familiar with some of the producer's other work - winemaker Mark Ravenscroft himself being a South African - I took a punt. I picked this up in April 2013, there it sat in the fridge - we often eyed each other up, but never quite sought the courage to talk....

Attractive berry fruit and floral aromatics - seems to take the lead from its Pinot Noir parentage here. There's a little spice and cocoa/ coffee/ mocha, latterly presenting cherry/ cola hints.

Soft and light on entry, segues to a savoury - slightly savoury - persuasion, offering up soft and powdery tannin. Lacks a little persistence on the finish. Is it varietal? I don't know. Is it pleasant to drink, absolutely. Would I buy it again? Yes. 88

For more information on the variety and indeed some information on it in Australia, head on over to:
http://www.pinotage.org/2011/12/australia-joins-pinotage-family.html

Tasted on: Saturday 22nd February, a Flower to Leaf Day
Source: Retail, Wine Experience
Price: $36
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.ravenscroftwines.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

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