Beeslaar Pinotage 2020

Abrie Beeslaar relates that 2020 was the first vintage where the effects of the well-documented Western Cape drought were no longer as keenly felt, good rains in the autumn of 2019 ensuring even budding and growth.

Beeslaar is, of course, winemaker at Kanonkop where Pinotage grows on decomposed granite. Grapes for his own wine from this variety come from a Simonsberg vineyard planted in 1993 on shale.

His 2020 has inviting aromatics of rose, red and black cherry plus hints of vanilla and baking spice while the palate appears medium bodied although hardly underdone (alcohol is 14.83%). Excellent fruit integrity, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins makes for a wine that initially appears quite succulent and luscious but finishes long and gently savoury. Supple and harmonious, this already drinks very well although has in the inherent structure to last a good long while. Price: R620 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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