The Swashbuckler Pinotage 2021

Winemaker at Flagstone Gerhard Swart isn’t the type of person to let a little drought stop him making the best wine he possibly can. In 2018, the driest Cape vintage in living memory, he set sail on a voyage of discovery to find the juiciest, ripest Pinotage. The result was a real hit red. Follow up vintages have been equally challenged by drought, until 2021 when winemakers were blessed with a cool summer and reasonable rain. Nevertheless, this red has lovely concentration of ripe fruit. But then, Gerhard has a skill at picking the grapes just at the right moment and treating them with a deft touch in the winery. This Pinotage has a lovely balance of bright plum and a lick of toasty spice. Great with grilled meats or sausage casserole.