Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2016

Alana L rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

All in honour of a dog. We’re already fans of the Beyerskloof house, but had yet to taste their Diesel Pinotage as not available at either the SAQ or Ontario’s LCBO. A deep, dark red colour, smoky wood and black fruit bouquet, this is a big Pinotage with a smooth chocolate finish after notes of leather and spice. Beautifully balanced between the wood and fruit, it could age well for 8-10 years and would easily pair with spicy dishes. This is Pinotage at it’s best: potent, dense, deep and intense. We love that Beyers Truter, Beyerskloof winemaker and considered a pinotage pioneer, named this wine after his beloved Boerboel (or South African Mastiff )dog, Diesel, a cross between a Great Dane and a Bull Mastiff (both parents residing on wine estates, Warwick and Le Bonheur respectively) – who passed away in 2008. Truter himself has stated that this wine honours an intimate friendship between a vintner and his dog: ‘Diesel was much more than a dog. He was my pal. One of those true friends who loves you despite your faults; that listens patiently to stories of sadness and share tail-wagging moments of happiness. He never barked back or lifted a critical ear. He was, undoubtedly, my best friend.’ - Tasted at the Montreal ‘Sustainable South Africa’ wine tasting event this week organized by ‘Wines of South Africa’.