Darling Cellers Old Blocks Pinotage 2021
Darling Cellers Old Blocks Pinotage 2021 is a dry, full-bodied red from Pinotage (Darling, South Africa), in the full, structured reds style. Tannins are firm and acidity moderate; oak influence is some. Good with steak, lamb, venison, cheese board.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2021 Rijk's · Western Cape | £28.48 | |||
| Southern Right Pinotage 2023 Southern Right · Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | £29.00 | |||
| Doran Vineyards Pinotage, Voor Paardeberg 2024 Doran Vineyards · Voor Paardeberg | £16.50 | |||
| Scions of Sinai Feniks Pinotage 2024 | £42.00 |
Pinotage divides opinion like few other grapes — part Pinot Noir elegance, part Cinsault robustness, entirely South African. Darling Cellars' Old Blocks bottling comes from older vines in the Darling district, a coastal appellation west of Swartland where cool Atlantic breezes keep things fresh despite the warm, dry conditions. Old vines mean lower yields and more concentrated fruit, and you can taste exactly that: dark plum, roasted coffee, and a earthy, spiced core that shows Pinotage at its most serious. This is a full-bodied red built for the braai but capable of holding its own at the table. The tannins are ripe and firm rather than grippy, and there's enough acidity to give the wine shape.