Drakenskloof Pinotage 2019

This big, rich, spicy red is as close as you could hope to come to the essence of South African wine. Firstly because it’s Pinotage, the country’s signature red grape – it was bred there in 1925. And secondly because it’s from one of the great, historic estates. This is Spier, near Stellenbosch, which not only boasts a rich wine heritage but also a hotel and restaurants amid beautifully preserved traditional buildings. Winemaker Frans Smit used old-vine fruit for extra intensity and aged the wine in a combination of American and French oak, softening the tannins and adding notes of spice to the ripe berry flavours. Smooth enough to be enjoyed on its own, but even better with rich food such as chorizo and butter bean casserole or spicy ribs.