Southern Right

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinotage

8.612 ratings
-no pro ratings
Western Cape, South Africa
Pinotage
Chili & Hot Spicy, Hard Cheese, Beef, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pork, Venison, Potato, Tomato-Based, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Pasta, Salami & Prosciutto, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Jay Svoboda

I was seduced by words when I bought this bottle - I imagine that's happened to all of us. A little placard next to the wine extols its virtues and you can't help but purchasing. Add in the fact that I'm a big Pinotage/ S. Africa fan and there was no turning back. The alcohol streaks through in the nose (14%) followed by black berries, black plums, a bit of cedar and black pepper, and rounded out with some sweet cooking spice. Following that, though, the palette tends to disappoint. Dark earth and black fruit come and go pretty quick, with a finish of vanilla oak. It's not a bad wine, but for the price ($30) and general lack of Pinotage-y-ness you can do better. I do love the wine label, though, and the winery also makes a conservancy contribution with every bottle sold.

I was seduced by words when I bought this bottle - I imagine that's happened to all of us. A little placard next to the wine extols its virtues and you can't help but purchasing. Add in the fact that I'm a big Pinotage/ S. Africa fan and there was no turning back. The alcohol streaks through in the nose (14%) followed by black berries, black plums, a bit of cedar and black pepper, and rounded out with some sweet cooking spice. Following that, though, the palette tends to disappoint. Dark earth and black fruit come and go pretty quick, with a finish of vanilla oak. It's not a bad wine, but for the price ($30) and general lack of Pinotage-y-ness you can do better. I do love the wine label, though, and the winery also makes a conservancy contribution with every bottle sold.

2 people found it helpfulAug 3rd, 2015
Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

Cherries. White pepper. Light spice.

Cherries. White pepper. Light spice.

May 22nd, 2016
Megan Bauer

This is my first Pinotage experience and I am quite pleased. Layers of elegant blackberry and black plum, alongside cocoa that has a smoky coffee kick. Perfect drinking wine!

This is my first Pinotage experience and I am quite pleased. Layers of elegant blackberry and black plum, alongside cocoa that has a smoky coffee kick. Perfect drinking wine!

Dec 14th, 2015
Jared O'Connell

Heard this is the best pinotage for the price. I think I might have had pinotage once before but I'm pretty happy with this wine. And frankly, it has a nice label. I got this for ~$20 after tax and it's ok at that price point but I wouldn't pay more for it.

Heard this is the best pinotage for the price. I think I might have had pinotage once before but I'm pretty happy with this wine. And frankly, it has a nice label. I got this for ~$20 after tax and it's ok at that price point but I wouldn't pay more for it.

Oct 23rd, 2015
James Darch

Yes this is good, no kidding

Yes this is good, no kidding

Mar 5th, 2015
Matthew Davis

Some structure, not too tannic, some old leather or dairy. Not the best value at $25 I think.

Some structure, not too tannic, some old leather or dairy. Not the best value at $25 I think.

Feb 22nd, 2015
Guy Duncan

Guy had this 8 years ago

Guy had this 8 years ago

May 12th, 2017
Zach Martin

Zach had this 8 years ago

Zach had this 8 years ago

Dec 10th, 2016
Jason W Smith

Jason had this 9 years ago

Jason had this 9 years ago

Jul 31st, 2015
Gerda Bucker

Gerda had this 10 years ago

Gerda had this 10 years ago

Jan 26th, 2015