Pinot Noir, Cinsaut or...?

Pinotage

I was excited to try a new Pinotage for my wine of the week. Up to now the Nederburg Pinotage has been my go to Pinotage, but this week I tried the Spier 2015 Pinotage, which hales from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The Vineyard was established in 1692.
Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut or Hermitage which was developed in South Africa in 1925, yet the taste seems nothing like either wine and reminds me more of a Tannat. The juice was cold soaked for 2 days and fermented in stainless steel tanks. 20% was aged in French oak with the balance aged in stainless steel tanks.
The color was a beautiful inky ruby and the nose offered aromas of smoke, tobacco and cherry. It was quite tannic and the palate had similar notes with the addition of some earth. What was very surprising,  was how the flavor and aroma really changed upon opening. After about an hour most of the smoke disappeared leaving a velvety wine with lovely flavors of blackberry and current. The wine has 14.5% alcohol and around a 22 second finish. I paired it with shredded beef and at under $12, this is a great buy. 

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