2014 Pinotage

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Pinotage, Fort Ross Vineyard is terrific, and I suspect it is the finest Pinotage I've ever tasted from outside South Africa. Outstanding notes of scorched earth, black cherries, graphite, and some classic herbal characteristics all give way to a medium-bodied red that has a layered texture, terrific balance and a great finish. Hats off to winemaker Jeff Pisoni for making a truly outstanding Pinotage.

2015 Pinotage

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
You don't see many Pinotage from California, but the 2015 Pinotage Fort Ross Vineyard is solid stuff. Aged 10 months in 30% new oak, its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a Pinot Noir-like bouquet of smoked blackberries, peppery herbs, chocolate, and sappy herbs. Balanced and medium to full-bodied, with plenty of tannins and good acidity, it’s an interesting, solid effort. I suspect it will evolve nicely for 4-6 years or more as well.

★★★★ EXCELLENT - Restaurant Wine, Ronn Wiegand MW/MS
The Pinotage is Pinot Noir-like in style: finely flavored, supple in texture, and full bodied. Rich flavors of blackberry, cherry, mint, pepper, clove, and toasty oak show good balance (if a bit tannic), and a long finish. Beginning to drink well, but it will develop further with bottle aging. 

2016 Pinotage

90 Points - Wine Advocate
The 2016 Pinotage Fort Ross Vineyard is medium ruby-purple in color with a broody nose of tar, earth and bay leaves with baked black berries and cherries and meaty hints. Medium to full-bodied, it's dark-fruited in the mouth with savory and earthy accents, framed by firm, chewy tannins and lifted by good freshness, finishing long and earthy.