by Ethan Johnson
January 20, 2008

This is a wine that I kinda wasted during a recent holiday party. I was hoping to hold onto it and enjoy it with a roast, but I ended up opening it in a moment of desperation when the bottle of red wine I was serving ran out. I did get to have a glass, though, and noted that I was happy enough with it to want to give it the official review treatment. Here's what I'm swirling lazily this evening:

Producer (Vineyard): Golden Kaan
Varietal (Grape type): Pinotage
Vintage (Year): 2004
Country: South Africa
Color: Red
Cost: Moderate ($15 USD)

Swirl and Sniff: The color is brick red. Berry-ish scents right off the initial pour. I'm inclined to say plummy.

Taste: Yep, plummy, and the producer suggests "raspberries". I'll second that. Generally smooth, but a bit astringent around the edges.

Pairing: I paired this with an all-day roast and green bean casserole. The wine paired nicely with the roast, and tolerated the casserole, as one might expect. This is very nice as a stand-alone wine, and seems to lose some of the astringent qualities.

Rating: When it comes to this wine, I would (and you may):

• Buy three or more bottles for regular enjoyment
• Buy a bottle or two for occasional enjoyment
• Ask for when dining out or at a party
• Settle for if your preferred wine is not available
• Politely decline and never drink again, ever

What I'm looking for in a wine/food pairing is the "yellow plus blue make green" sensation of a third flavor. This wine when paired with a beef roast delivers. I'd be just as satisfied serving this as a social wine without food. Factor in the hoops I have to jump through to get the Soljans Estates version of this varietal, and you have a winner. If you see it around, give it a try.

If you do give this a try, please let me know how your experience compared with mine. Thanks! <EM>

(The Totally Unpretentious Wine Reviews Index may be found here.)