Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Spier – Signature Collection – Pinotage – 2024
Western Cape – South Africa 🇿🇦

Overview
An entry-level Pinotage that leans into a more rustic and herbaceous expression of the grape. Designed for casual drinking, it highlights the approachable side of South Africa’s signature variety without aiming for depth or refinement.

Aromas & Flavors
Red and dark berries lead the profile, followed by earthy tones, dried herbs, and a subtle smoky edge. There’s a slightly raw, savory character that reflects a less polished style.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with moderate acidity and firm, slightly rough tannins. The structure feels a bit rugged around the edges, reinforcing its rustic personality.

Food Pairings
BBQ, grilled meats, sausages, burgers, or smoky dishes. Works best with food that can complement its earthy and savory profile.

Verdict
A straightforward and casual Pinotage that shows a more traditional, rustic side of the grape. Not the most refined expression, but a solid introduction to the variety’s earthier profile.

Did You Know?
Modern Pinotage styles vary widely: some producers embrace a cleaner, fruit-forward approach, while others lean into a more rustic, smoky, and herbaceous profile—like this one—reflecting traditional winemaking influences in South Africa.

🍷 Personal Pick
A good reference point for understanding the more rustic side of Pinotage, but I personally lean toward more structured and polished expressions of the variety. (see my other pinotage reviews) cheers! — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Brooding ruby color with a slight brick rim. The aromas vary as the wine opens up. Starts with blackberry, blueberry and plum fruit with hints of red and purple flowers then evolves with touches of leather and a slight bit of pyrazine. The pallet leads with the same fruits (not overbearing) with additional notes of chocolate and roasted nuts. Medium bodied with nice dusty tannins. Nicely made and well balanced. I honestly thought it was a Zinfandel. Thank you for sharing this one, John P. — 3 years ago

Michael Herzig

9.4

When in Paris…. This is a wine I never see in the states but this is the second time I have had it in Paris, last time in 375 format no less. Wine is loooong, great structure and dark fruit. It drinks, and is priced like, a very good premier cru and I have zero regrets ordering it. I am a Rousseau fan, your mileage may vary, but this is a terrific Gevrey if you get the opportunity. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

“Ygrec” is basically a flip of the standard d’Yquem; typically somewhere around 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Traditionally, this dry version has only made in select vintages and the vines for Ygrec are selected prior to harvest and vary from vintage to vintage, typically before nobel rot takes place.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2018 pours a bright straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing powerful notes of grapefruit, orange, Juicy Fruit, some varnish, fine subtle baking spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. An exciting Bordeaux Blanc that sizzles with energy and class. Absolutely baller stuff. Drink now through 2038. — 2 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.0

I've only had a couple touriga nacional non-fortified wines in my life, and they can vary widely in quality, structure, and tannin. This is on the softer side, no doubt partly because of its age, so it drinks easily.

Aromas are very reserved, a far cry from the aromatic wines I usually prefer. Lovely cocoa, clay, and homemade berry jam flavors. Reminds me of a Priorat but without the characteristic minerality. All in all solid. — 2 years ago

Joe C

9.3

Enjoined vary nice — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.3

2021 winter. This might be my favorite Peters wine to drink on release for the extra depth, complexity and richness - the degree seems to vary by bottle or lot (or maybe it’s landed age - hard to say with no disgorgement info), but it’s never at the expense of freshness. — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2023 vintage. The blends can vary dramatically at this estate. In this vintage it is 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Refined and elegant, with impeccable balance and refined tannins. Another winner from this extremely reliable estate. Incredible value too. Abv. 13%. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of mostly Syrah with a splash of Petit Verdot, Clairette Blanche, Graciano and Viognier, may vary a bit from year to year. Deep Ruby with purple hues, big aromas of dark fruits, cedar and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum & blueberry with notes of vanilla, licorice and smoke. Fine tannins, long finish, great mouthfeel ending with fruit, herbs and spice. — a year ago

Vanessa

9.1

Here we’re sipping a Super Tuscan: Montepeloso, Eneo, Costa Toscana IGT, 2016, 14.5% ABV.

It was made using a proprietary blend blissfully marrying several native Italian varieties, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Marselan, and Alicante; the precise blend in a given year may vary based on the needs and wants of the vintage and the desired expression of the winemaker, Fabrizio Moltard.

This wine is deep ruby and offers developing notes of black cherry, plum, fig, anise, licorice, fennel, nutmeg, allspice, black olive, new leather, wet earth, and cured meat.

This wine is a reflection of the terroir of the Tuscan coast, with vibrancy in acidity alongside deep black fruit and earthy notes. It is dry, with a full body, high alcohol, medium(+) chewy tannins, and medium(+) intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. The finish lingers.

— 4 years ago

with Deked1