Happily, I received a bottle of Woolworths Reserve Collection Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2008 as a treasured gift.

Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2008 & Backsberg Pinotage 2008

In my opinion it pairs beautifully with roast, free-range chicken so that’s what we ate for dinner. This wine is smooth, balanced and medium-bodied. The lovely strawberry flavours give an illusion of sweetness yet it is quite dry and there is a long, dry aftertaste of clove and sour cherry.

What struck me when I nosed the wine, picking up on the sweet cherry and smokiness, is the similarity to Pinotage which is the result of  a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut to produce this hybrid grape. Since we had a Backsberg Pinotage 2008 on hand, we decided that it would be fun to have a comparison between the two.

Besides the common aromas,  the wines share great structure and harmony although the Pinotage is more robust, and married well with barbecued, ostrich steak. It is also higher in alcohol – 14.5% compared to 13.5% in the Pinot Noir. The finish is dry with intense woodiness and that bitterness is there which I always notice when quaffing Pinotage.

Both of these wines come highly recommended. At R51.00 ($6.5) the Backsberg Pinotage 2008 is a great find. Woolworths Reserve Paul Cluver Wines Pinot Noir 2008 sells for R150.00 ($19)