Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage 2013
Grapes picked ripe, crushed and fermented in tank with staves. – The barrels component was hand punched in small fermenter, pressed off in a basket press before being run directly into barrel.The Den is a luscious. fruit packed and fullbodied – a social wine to enjoy.
8 pts Robert Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate (NM)
The 2012 The Den Pinotage is blended with 10% Shiraz and fermented in tank with oak staves. It has an agreeable, soft, leathery bouquet with decent red berries mixed with sage and cloves. The palate is medium-bodied with light red cherries and strawberry on the entry and a clean, fresh finish. This is a commendable Pinotage. Drink now.
88 pts Stephen Tanzer/Vinous June 2015
2013 Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage (includes 5% Shiraz, 3% Grenache and 2% Mourvedre; done entirely in stainless steel): Good bright, dark red. Smoky black and red fruits on the nose, with cranberry standing out. Pure and clean on the palate, showing a rather exotic white fruit nuance. Weightier and fatter than The Den Cabernet but still with good shape and energy. A very pure entry-level Pinotage with a firm dusting of tannins but no dryness. This would make a painless introduction to the variety. — Stephen Tanzer 88
