Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage 2015

Today is another wine from Jeremy Borg and Painted Wolf Wines Pack, Paarl, South Africa,  Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage 2015. This wine helps support the preservation of the African Wild Dog or Painted Wolf. There are only 6500 left in the world. Another species in danger. Every bottle sold goes to support this cause.

Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage 2015

Painted Wolf had its beginnings in 2006 and their first vintage in 2007. Along with Jeremy and his wife Emma, the formation of the company began with the first pack members Billy Hughes, Paul Kempton Jones, Mark Gray & Quinta do Portal. The first wines were a Pinotage and a Cape Blend. Since then they have won many awards for their wines.

The grape

Pinotage is a grape variety that was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Perold was attempting to combine the best qualities of the robust Hermitage or Cinsault with Pinot noir, a grape that makes great wine but can be difficult to grow. Pinotage typically produces deep red varietal wines with smoky, bramble and earthy flavors, sometimes with notes of bananas and tropical fruit, but has been criticized for sometimes smelling of acetone.  This is another great example of what Pinotage can be.

The wine

This wine is 100% Pinotage picked from vineyards in Swartland and Paarl. This is in the Wine of Origin Coastal region.  Most of the grapes were destalked and fermented in tanks with French and American oak staves. Malolactic fermentation was completed on staves which we removed from the wine. Approximately 15% of the wine was fermented in small open fermenters and hand-punched before being pressed off prior to full dryness into small older French and American oak barrels.

What I found

I let the bottle breath for about 30 minutes. The color is a bright burgundy with long luscious legs. I just love looking at it in the glass. The aroma jumps out with red cherry and blackberry to boot. I get a hint of oak as well. The flavor is very oaky earthy red berry. It is a very dry stick to your tongue sensation. The finish as well is very long and dry.  13.5 % alcohol content. It runs about $12.00 a bottle, not bad for a good bottle of wine. I think this would go great with Bar-B-Que or other spicy foods. I had it with Arrabbiata Sauce over angel hair pasta, worked perfectly. Give it a try, I bet you like it. I found it at ABC fine wines and spirits here in Florida.

Until next time, pop a few bottles but keep it between the guard rails.