Pinotage has long been a maligned grape. Though South Africa is known for pinotage, there are many South Africans who wish it did not exist. However truly exceptional pinotage can indeed be found. Created as a cross between pinot noir and cinsault in 1911, Barista creates a well-defined iteration. This wine states pinot very clearly yet the underlying notes of earth, mushroom, tropical fruits are nonetheless there, but not in the traditional banana way that many inferior pinotage are known for.

This is made from the Verdejo grape.  Green/golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose as spice and golden raisins.  Full bodies.  No fruit, this is about minerals and spice.  On the palate, minerals and hay with some spice.  Good acidity.  Round texture.  Long finish.  This is good value.  Food friendly.  It will work nice with lighter pork or chicken dishes.  Pork chops would be a nice choice.  Drink over the next few years.  

This a really interesting white that is a great value.  Moschofilero is the name of the grape.  Silvery in color with green and gold hues.  The nose is really interesting with plums, tropical fruits, and some floral qualities.  Nice, slightly oily texture.  On the palate it has a tart but candied quality.  Tropical fruits.  Nice crispness.  Long finish.  Good finish.  This should very very food friendly and go well with all kinds of sea foods.  Oysters would be perfect.  Drink over the next couple of  years.  

This is an excellent value in wine that comes from south of  San Francisco.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, the black raspberry fruit comes thru.  Some complexity.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and works well with meat, pork or fowl dishes.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

Jonata makes some spectacular wine that also have spectacular prices.  Todos (which means all in Spanish) is the blend of the rest of the wines that didn't get bottled individually and it is an excellent wine at a more down to earth price.  This vintage it is a blend of 45% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petite Verdot, 9% Petit Sirah, 5% Merlot, and the rest an assorted 6%.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with black raspberries, chocolate, black cherries, gravel and cassis.  Medium tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is delicious.  It may get better but wit

The base Bedrock Zinfandel is an amazing value.  Year in and year out, it is delicious and affordable.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with raspberries, black cherries and bramble.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some char and black pepper.  Nice balance.  Good mouthfeel.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A great wine with a burger or spaghetti.