Producer	Wine Name	Varietal	Reviewer	Rating	Vintage	Cost
ProducerFort Ross Vineyard	Wine Name	VarietalPinotage	ReviewerMike Taylor	RatingExcellent	Vintage2001	Cost$32.00
My first North American Pinotage! This wine does not disappoint. It is a varietal that is more familiar in South Africa than in California. In South Africa, it is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Fort Ross has gone to great length, headache and probably heartache as well by being the first to import this varietal from S.A. The wine exhibits a dark ruby color that says, "I have obvious richness," and I did not disagree. It is unfined and unfiltered. On the nose the wine shows plum and spice. Upon tasting it revealed balanced tannins and ample body. The complex and distinct flavors would pair nicely with some gamey food. Anyone for venison? Tasted again on 8-22-05 This is my second tasting of Fort Ross's 2001 Pinotage. It has aged nicely since my first tasting. The wine shows a medium ruby core that fades to a mahogany rim. On the nose there are developing aromas of black tea, dried flowers and perfume along with a bit of musty clove. In the mouth, the wine has smooth powdery tannins, a medium body that's mellowed with rich consistency. In parting, the flowing balance lingers generously. I tasted this wine a year ago, and still it's a fine wine.
Color	Type	Maturity	Appellation	Country	State	County	Region
ColorRed	TypeTable	MaturityReady	AppellationSonoma Coast	CountryUnited States	StateCalifornia	CountySonoma	RegionNorth Coast (CA)
Date added: January 20, 2005
Superb: 95-100 | Excellent: 90-94 | Very Good: 85-89 | Good: 80-84 | Ordinary: 75-79 | Undrinkable: 50-74