Price: $6
Maker: South Africa, Imported by Prestige Wine Group
Varietal: Pinotage
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 13.7%
Our Rating: 8 out of 10
Makulu Iswithi Pinotage 2005 is a new South African import from Prestige Wine Group. It’s a change of pace from most of the reds we write about here. The nose is spice and berries, not all that atypical, but on the palate this wine is rounded and somewhat sweet. Cherries dominate the powerful fruitiness, and there are some cola characteristics. This Pinotage isn’t cloyingly sweet – there is enough acidity to even things out, and the finish is long and pleasant. This would be a great wine to serve a group that includes people who aren’t regular wine drinkers and who might find a typical Cab or Merlot too dry.
I’d try pairing this spicy Mexican or Italian dishes – the sweetness might offset the spice a bit, and the deep fruity character would hold its own with the strong flavors. A datasheet on the Makulu wines is available here.