2012 Diesel Pinotage
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Tasting notes
(14.5% alcohol; dark red): Complex, soil-driven aromas of strawberry, cherry, mocha and underbrush; here the new oak component complements the wine's fruit rather than overwhelming it. Seamless, silky and sweet; wonderfully plush, deep wine with real energy to its concentrated flavors of smoky red fruits. Finishes with noble, smooth tannins and lovely slowly building length. A distinct cut above this producer's other current releases.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Diesel Pinotage spent 4 days in open casks with punch downs every 2 hours and saw 21 months in 100% new French oak barrels, with 20 out of 300 selected from this flagship wine. It has a pleasant reduction on the nose, perhaps a touch of burnt rubber there but I think that will disappear with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, ripe tannins, plenty of red fruit with a well balanced, vibrant finish. There is an attractive purity emerging in the mouth and I think that will be matched by the nose with a couple of years in bottle.