By David Ginochio
Inspired by the impressive and wonderfully informative section on the South African jazz scene here at All About Jazz, I decided to uncork a couple of bottles from Simonsig Estate, in South AfricaÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Stellenbosch region. Privately owned by the Malan family, Simonsig has been crafting quality wines using techniques suited to the climate and grapes grown since 1968.
One of the grapes with which South Africa has had great success is Pinotage, a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir created in 1925 by South African native Abraham Izak Perold. Not much is known why this noted agricultural scientist decided to create a cross between these two very different varietals, but one can assume he was attempting to match the richness and complexity of the Pinot with the disease resistance of the Cinsault. The Cinsault also brings a sweet juiciness to the mix.
Simonsig Estate 2000 Pinotage, a quite affordable version of the varietal, is a showy, blood red wine, sinfully aromatic, with flavors of sweet plums, tobacco, raspberries, and hints of smoked Spanish paprika. It has a decadent mouth feel, is a bit soft around the edges, and provides a completely satisfying finish. ItÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs smooth enough to accompany a great number of dishes, but hearty and complex enough to perhaps even stand up to a cigar!
Score 88
SimonsigÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Sauvignon Blanc is a fleshy, refreshing pale straw sipper, with tropical-fruitiness to spare. A truly bracing acidity balances the big ripe fruit flavors nicely, and the finish is clean and enjotable, leaving just a hint of the slight bell pepper qualities in its path
Score 85
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