The 2022 Southern Right Pinotage (Western Cape, South Africa) received consistently strong reviews from major wine critics, generally placing it in the 90–94 point range.
| Critic |
Rating |
Review highlights |
| Tasting Panel |
94 |
Smoke, blackberry and plum flavors with spiced cedar, roast coffee and cinnamon. Long, satin-textured finish. |
| James Suckling |
91 |
Ripe mulberry, raspberry and boysenberry, with light supple tannins, lively acidity and notes of violet, thyme, anise and iron. |
| Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
91 |
Dried raspberry, cherry, dusty iron and a subtle saline edge. Oak is restrained, emphasizing purity of fruit and old-vine character. Recommended drinking through 2030. |
| Wine Spectator |
91 |
Vibrant mulberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit with violet, thyme, anise and iron. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity; drink now–2030. |
| Wine Enthusiast |
90 |
Peppercorn and berry aromas lead to blackcurrant and dark fruit flavors. Excellent acidity and fine tannins provide energy and structure. |
| Tim Atkin MW |
92 |
Savory, floral style with bramble and black cherry fruit. Incorporates about 30% Swartland fruit for greater concentration and tannic backbone; recommended 2023–2027. |
| Platter's South African Wine Guide |
4½ Stars (≈92 pts) |
Bright plum and cherry fruit, restrained oak, savory spice, herb and pepper notes with excellent persistence. |
Overall assessment
- Average professional score: approximately 91–92 points
- Style: Elegant rather than heavy, emphasizing freshness and purity over overt oak.
- Flavor profile: Blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, black cherry, plum, pepper, violet, thyme, iron/mineral notes, and subtle cedar/spice.
- Structure: Medium-bodied with bright acidity, refined tannins, and good aging potential.
This vintage is widely regarded as one of the better modern expressions of Pinotage, showing the cooler-climate style for which Southern Right is known while maintaining excellent balance and age-worthiness.
This wine has bright fruit, balanced oak, and a long, savory finish. It has a dark ruby color, aromas of plum and cherry, and notes of forest floor, leather, and black pepper. The palate offers a full body, smooth tannins, and a lingering finish with dark fruit and spice, complemented by subtle oak.
Overall impressions
- Southern Right aims for a classically styled Pinotage that highlights the nuances of its terroir rather than being solely dominated by the varietal's inherent boldness.
- The 2022 vintage is described as intense, complex, and generously textured.
- There's a strong emphasis on fruit purity and balance.
- Reviews suggest it's a well-crafted wine that successfully marries a more refined, "Old World" style with hints of "New World" richness.
Key characteristics
- Aromas: Dark berry fruit (mulberry, raspberry, boysenberry, blackcurrant), peppercorn, subtle spice, violet, thyme, anise, iron, and a hint of dusty iron rust. Some mentions of subtle notes of sweet spices, mint, and smoky minerals as well.
- Palate: Vibrant red fruit flavors, including mulberry, raspberry, boysenberry, and blackcurrant. Descriptions highlight its medium-bodied frame, light, supple tannins, and lively acidity.
- Structure and aging potential: Excellent acidity and fine tannins provide structure and energy, making it drinkable now but with good potential for cellaring, recommended through 2030 by some.
- Unique Expression: The wine's individuality stems from a combination of factors:
- Full ripeness at potentially lower alcohol.
- Cool climate and longer hang-time in cooler sites.
- Complex fruit aromas and structure derived from diverse soils, including clay-rich and granitic soils.
- Fruit sourced from both the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the Swartland region.
Critic scores
- Wine Spectator: 90 points.
- Wine Enthusiast: 90 points.
- Wine Advocate: 91 points.
- Vinous: 87 points.
- The Tasting Panel - The Somm Journal: 94 points.
- Tim Atkin: 92 points.
Vintage conditions (2022)
- Harvest timing was similar to 2021 but slightly later than average.
- The preceding winter was the wettest in 24 years, followed by a slightly wetter than average budbreak to veraison period.
- Cool, wet conditions early in the season and late-season heat spikes presented challenges, but overall the vintage produced beautiful, pure, generously textured wines.
History
Founded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in 1994, Southern Right’s aim is to produce a serious, age-worthy Pinotage (South Africa’s unique red grape variety) combining a distinct South African fruit and flavor expression with classic styling and refinement. In 2005, a stunningly beautiful 1,125 acre property on the western border of Hamilton Russell Vineyards was purchased as a long-term home for Southern Right, and in 2009, a 350 ton “Overberg”-style cellar, was completed on the property just in time for the 2009 harvest. Today the winery produces a Pinotage and a Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are named after the rare Southern Right whales, which frequent the cool South Atlantic Walker Bay, two miles from the vineyards. With each bottle sold, Southern Right makes a contribution to their conservation.
