Feeling Good Feeling Positive has become the slogan of comedian, Schalk Bezuidenhout, and most people associate it with his social media posts during the COVID-19 lockdown. This wine is produced by De Kleine Wijnkoöp, that focuses on small batch wines and high quality. The label of this wine is rather funky, with comical descriptions on the back label that set you in the mood for an easy-drinking, unpretentious dry red wine.
In the glass, this wine has a deep ruby colour. On the nose, it has notes of ripe plums, blackberries, perfume and oak spice. It delivers well on the palate from the nose, with red berries, black berries, ripe black cherries, plums and pink peppercorns. The tannins are dry and the overall structure of the wine is kept together with a good balance. It has a long, dry and fruity finish. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in small French oak barrels for 12 months.
When I presented this wine at a recent tasting with a focus on public figures and celebrities, there was a small crowd of non-Afrikaans speaking patrons who initially had no idea who Schalk Bezuidenhout is. However, after tasting all the wines, they were the first to ask where they can order this wine. That speaks to the accessibility and approachability of this wine, as I said earlier, it is unpretentious and straight-forward, ready to enjoy.
This wine can be chilled slightly and does not need to be decanted. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with some braaivleis, potjiekos or venison. It is ready to drink now, but can also be cellared for the next 5-7 years. You might want to consider pairing this wine with one of the recorded Schalk Bezuidenhout comedy shows that are currently available on online streaming sites.
Producer: De Kleine Wijnkoöp
Variety: Pinotage
Vintage: 2019
Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Wynand Grobler
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Average price: R125
Rating: 89/100
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