If you like inexpensive, extremely fruity, and smoky red wine, this 2009 Zarafa Pinotage from South Africa could possibly be a bargain for the price (under $5).

The Opening Ceremony

Keep in mind this wine is young and needs time to breathe and come to life after opening the bottle. I would suggest pouring it into a decanter for at least 20 minutes, otherwise you’ll be knocked over by the overwhelming smell of 14% alcohol.

The Nose

After this 2009 Zarafa Pinotage opens up to the world, you’ll smell the plums and cherries coming out to roughhouse with your nose.

One Wine, Two Opinions

I found the Pinotage extremely fruity (plums & cherries) on the tongue, yet dry with those forever present tannins. In fact, my taste buds felt the wine to be rather unbalanced.

However, the second taster couldn’t get over the smokiness and found the wine to actually be balanced.

Yet another example of how two different people can have two very different experiences drinking from the same bottle of wine at the same time.

The Pairings

We think this wine would go well with read meats and spicy dishes requiring a red wine such as spaghetti alla arrabiata. Or perhaps even a really strong blue cheese which might work wonders, in my opinion, to balance the overabundant fruitiness.