Ergo Bibamus Vinum

Lammershoek Pinotage Barrique 2001
I had this Lammershoek Pinotage on Sunday and then again on Tuesday. On Sunday when I opened it up I noticed some setiment on the cork so I thought I should decant it just in case. This baby was huge! a dark, dark purple colour with a whopping 15% alcohol. Plum was the dominant aroma with a mouth full of fruit and excellent tannin and acidity. On Tuesday, I decided I'd finish off what was left in the decanter. WOW! Those two days did wonders to the wine. The wine was now that of a fruit basket with softened acidity. Pinotage is not for every wine drinker, largely due to its aroma but I look forward to opening a few of these over the next couple of years.

From Wine Appellation Canada - Nov 2002
Four Stars - Pinotage 2001 "The youngest wine in our tasting and easily one of the finest examples of the new wave of Pinotage we encountered. A big and generous red wine, this offered aromas of smoke, plum and tabacco. On the palate, there are mocha and floral notes in the background, in addition to the fleshy core of the fruit. A monster wine that needs to age a year or two before it will pull its best face forward; this shows huge promise for 2004 - 2007."

If you are wondering what the titles means, 'Ergo bibamus vinum' is Latin for 'so let's drink wine' and appears at the bottom of the Lammershoek crest.