Kara Tara Pinot Noir Western Cape 2019

Rüdger van Wyk is the breakout winemaker at Stark-Condé in Stellenbosch. In addition to Jancis’ praise, he won South Africa’s prestigious “Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year” honor, and seen his wines at Stark-Conde featured in Wine Enthusiast’s ‘Top 100 Wines of the Year’ list.

But not so secretly, the joint venture he launched on the side with José Conde is what drives his passion– and the idea that the brand that he set out to provide, “great-quality at an amazing value” will become a worldwide hit propelling his brand, Kara-Tara into heights few South African producers ever reach on the international scale.

For so long, Oregon Pinots have in my opinion been dominating the new-world Pinot Noir scene, and making so many exciting wines. But with the wine economics in South Africa once again pushing product back to American shores, I’ve been blown away with the quality. Today’s Pinot Noir is a dead ringer for a $50 Oregon Pinot. It’s so fresh and fleshy with red and black fruits, currants, and a hint of bramble and sage on the finish. It’s pure, high-altitude, cool-climate Pinot Noir that will blow you away.