Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Spier – Signature Collection – Pinotage – 2024
Western Cape – South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
An entry-level Pinotage that leans into a more rustic and herbaceous expression of the grape. Designed for casual drinking, it highlights the approachable side of South Africa’s signature variety without aiming for depth or refinement.

Aromas & Flavors
Red and dark berries lead the profile, followed by earthy tones, dried herbs, and a subtle smoky edge. There’s a slightly raw, savory character that reflects a less polished style.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, slightly rough tannins. The structure feels a bit rugged around the edges, reinforcing its rustic personality.

Food Pairings
BBQ, grilled meats, sausages, burgers, or smoky dishes. Works best with food that can complement its earthy and savory profile.

Verdict
A straightforward and casual Pinotage that shows a more traditional, rustic side of the grape. Not the most refined expression, but a solid introduction to the variety’s earthier profile.

Did You Know?
Modern Pinotage styles vary widely: some producers embrace a cleaner, fruit-forward approach, while others lean into a more rustic, smoky, and herbaceous profile—like this one—reflecting traditional winemaking influences in South Africa.

🍷 Personal Pick
A good reference point for understanding the more rustic side of Pinotage, but I personally lean toward more structured and polished expressions of the variety. (see my other pinotage reviews) cheers! — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Brooding ruby color with a slight brick rim. The aromas vary as the wine opens up. Starts with blackberry, blueberry and plum fruit with hints of red and purple flowers then evolves with touches of leather and a slight bit of pyrazine. The pallet leads with the same fruits (not overbearing) with additional notes of chocolate and roasted nuts. Medium bodied with nice dusty tannins. Nicely made and well balanced. I honestly thought it was a Zinfandel. Thank you for sharing this one, John P. — 3 years ago

Michael Herzig

9.4

When in Paris…. This is a wine I never see in the states but this is the second time I have had it in Paris, last time in 375 format no less. Wine is loooong, great structure and dark fruit. It drinks, and is priced like, a very good premier cru and I have zero regrets ordering it. I am a Rousseau fan, your mileage may vary, but this is a terrific Gevrey if you get the opportunity. — 5 years ago

Chris Erkel

9.0

Vary consistent medium to full body Cab — 6 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.2

The quality of Lagunitas IPA can vary enormously, but somehow this place occasionally gets the very best of it. This one is definitely well above average, but not quite as good as the ultimate version we had here a few years ago. — 6 years ago

with Chris

Shay A

9.3

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this, especially since I’ve gone through who knows how many this year. For me, Hudson chardonnay fruit is very distinctive aromatically, as I pick up clove and juicy fruit gum notes. Added notes of vanillin, Anjou pears and a touch of marzipan. Certainly rich in style and unmistakably Cali but lots of deep flavor and complexity. Honeyed Passion fruit, sea salted popcorn, and almond pastry on the palate. Good acidity as well. I’ve also found Hudson chardonnay fruit to be best enjoyed on the young side, but that may vary by producer. A consistently delicious chardonnay. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

“Ygrec” is basically a flip of the standard d’Yquem; typically somewhere around 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Traditionally, this dry version has only made in select vintages and the vines for Ygrec are selected prior to harvest and vary from vintage to vintage, typically before nobel rot takes place.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2018 pours a bright straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing powerful notes of grapefruit, orange, Juicy Fruit, some varnish, fine subtle baking spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. An exciting Bordeaux Blanc that sizzles with energy and class. Absolutely baller stuff. Drink now through 2038. — 3 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.0

I've only had a couple touriga nacional non-fortified wines in my life, and they can vary widely in quality, structure, and tannin. This is on the softer side, no doubt partly because of its age, so it drinks easily.

Aromas are very reserved, a far cry from the aromatic wines I usually prefer. Lovely cocoa, clay, and homemade berry jam flavors. Reminds me of a Priorat but without the characteristic minerality. All in all solid. — 2 years ago

Joe C

9.3

Enjoined vary nice — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.3

2021 winter. This might be my favorite Peters wine to drink on release for the extra depth, complexity and richness - the degree seems to vary by bottle or lot (or maybe it’s landed age - hard to say with no disgorgement info), but it’s never at the expense of freshness. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

@Delectable this is 2014 Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin, “Blanchot”

The nose reveals; candle wax, lemons, green apple, overripe pineapple, kiwi, lime pulp, pear, white peach, apricots, peach, topical melons, beeswax, honeysuckle, vanillin, creamy butter, fresh herbs, caramel, subtle chalkiness, sea fossils, limestone, grey volcanics, the lemon in Lemon Pledge, green grass, dry straw, glazed, brown butter, with fruit blossoms, yellow lilies, jasmine & spring flowers.

The palate is; rich, lush, round, waxy and elegantly smooth. Excellent viscosity. Glorious as it slips over the beautiful mouthfeel. Sour lemons, green apple, overripe pineapple, kiwi, lime pulp & candy, pear, white peach, apricots, peach, guava, topical melons, beeswax, candle wax, honeysuckle, vanillin, creamy butter, fresh herbs, caramel, subtle chalkiness, sea fossils, saline, limestone, grey volcanics, the lemon in Lemon Pledge, green grass, dry straw, glazed, brown butter with fruit blossoms, yellow lilies, jasmine & spring flowers. The acidity is; round, phat & lively. The finish is; polish, rich, lush, balance fruit & earth and has no hiccups. Great wire to wire.

Photos of; one of their Vineyards, Benoît Droin tasting through his wines & Domaine Jean-Paul & Benoît Droin,

Producer notes; The Droins have been producing wines in Chablis for nearly 400 years (their history as vignerons goes back at least to 1620). Benoît is the 14th generation guardian.

The Domaine has 13 hectares of vineyards and produces 14 different wines, including Petit Chablis, Chablis, 7 Premiers Crus and 5 Grand Crus. They prune specific to each vineyard. The wines are fermented differently by vineyard.

All their wines are fermented in mature oak. The Blanchots are all fermented and matured in tank. Vaillons, Mont de Milieu and Montée de Tonnerre receive 25 per cent of barrel fermentation and maturation, 35 per cent for Vosgros and Vaudésir, 40 per cent for Montmains and Valmur, peaking at 50 per cent for Fourchaume, Grenouilles and Les Clos. However the age of the oak and the choice of tonnelier may vary according to the cuvée. The maximum new oak is ten per cent in the Grand Crus. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Our second stop in Hemel-en-Aarde (an hour SE of Stellenbosch) was Hamilton Russell; which also makes this Ashbourne line of wines. This is the wine Anthony Hamilton Russell greeted us with when we arrived.

I didn’t takes notes on this visit. It just never seemed appropriate during visit. Anthony was a treasure trove of wine knowledge, not only on his Terroir but, South Africa in general.

I would say this blend of; Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon was quite good. The fruit sees the warmth during the day but cools down in the evening as it’s not far from the coast. It’s fermented in all neutral wood and has a gentle 13% ABV. All of which, are right in my wheelhouse in terms of how I prefer my whites.

This was our last visit in South Africa and probably our overall favorite. It was a combination of the area, their wines, Anthony’s passion & knowledge of his Terroir and the amazing lunch they prepared for our at their house. It was hands down the best meal we had on our trip.

Photos of; Hamilton Russell Vineyard, one of the soil structures that vary site to site around their Estate and a long shot of the property with Anthony & Olives house up on the hill.

— 7 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2023 vintage. The blends can vary dramatically at this estate. In this vintage it is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Refined and elegant, with impeccable balance and refined tannins. Another winner from this extremely reliable estate. Incredible value too. Abv. 13%. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of mostly Syrah with a splash of Petit Verdot, Clairette Blanche, Graciano and Viognier, may vary a bit from year to year. Deep Ruby with purple hues, big aromas of dark fruits, cedar and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum & blueberry with notes of vanilla, licorice and smoke. Fine tannins, long finish, great mouthfeel ending with fruit, herbs and spice. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Here we’re sipping a Super Tuscan: Montepeloso, Eneo, Costa Toscana IGT, 2016, 14.5% ABV.

It was made using a proprietary blend blissfully marrying several native Italian varieties, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Marselan, and Alicante; the precise blend in a given year may vary based on the needs and wants of the vintage and the desired expression of the winemaker, Fabrizio Moltard.

This wine is deep ruby and offers developing notes of black cherry, plum, fig, anise, licorice, fennel, nutmeg, allspice, black olive, new leather, wet earth, and cured meat.

This wine is a reflection of the terroir of the Tuscan coast, with vibrancy in acidity alongside deep black fruit and earthy notes. It is dry, with a full body, high alcohol, medium(+) chewy tannins, and medium(+) intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. The finish lingers.

— 4 years ago

with Deked1

Mattin Noblia

10

Easy to drink dry, vary flavorful, oak and bit of smoke — 5 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

2010 Vintage. 15.6% Alcohol. 63% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 13% Mourvèdre. Yum, but perhaps a bit over it’s peak. Unknown provenance as purchased at auction, so your mileage may vary. — 6 years ago

Steven Heydemann

9.5

Best bottle yet. Had lots of Musar and they vary a lot. This one was fabulous. Double decant 2 hours before dinner. Beautiful crushed red fruit, spice out the wazoo, notes of zaatar and sumak and olive wood smoke. Great. — 7 years ago

James Shamas

9.0

I’ve been buying this wine for years, but somehow never rated it. Very nice, does vary by vintage. — 7 years ago

Brian Duffy

9.5

Rarely do I offer ratings of white wines. While I understand individual flavor preferences vary, the unique Ochota Barrels profile demands my recommendation. It’s simply delicious, worthy of a special search of the market. Nothing same old, same old here. Get some! — 7 years ago