Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. Joseph’s Hat was a label of Ashanti Wines. The estate was sold a few years ago to new owners. They discontinued the Joseph?s Hat range and now it seems they’ve developed the estate into housing and are currently not making wine. http://ashantiwines.com But there are plenty of good Pinotages about. Try Simonsig ‘Red Hill’ or Kanonkop. Cheers Peter May www.pinotage.org

Well, Peter, thanks so much for taking the time to contact me and provide this answer to my open query on why I can no longer find Joseph’s Hat Pinotage anymore.

BTW, Peter has an excellent blog going on wine which I strongly encourage everyone to check out when they get a chance: www.pintage.org

So, if you haven’t checked prices lately on CA 2005’s, you might be surprised to find local retailers heavily discounting them.

I was in the mood for something different yet I didn’t want to stray from what readers probably already have noticed about my posts … obvious trend of dry reds. So, this Pinot caught my eye. I haven’t read much about the 2007 French vintages and I won’t even claim to have any idea about the different regions and how the climate and weather patterns improve or hinder the harvest. So, I grabbed this bottle and gave it a try with some small sirloin stakes on the grill with yellow squash with tomatoes and cheese also on the grill. It paired nicely and even the wife enjoyed a glass … and she prefers those sweet, light wines. It wasn’t memorable by any means and it wasn’t compelling in any category. But at the same time, it didn’t get in the way of the meal and smoothly and quietly complemented it. Thus, if you are looking for a wine in this price range that will quietly compliment your summer grilling, I safely recommend this selection.

Having put effort towards a marinade for some sirloin steaks that I feared might be a bit tough on the grill of a completely forgettable red wine from the fridge, black pepper, rosemary, garlic powder and some other dried spices … a wine pairing seemed appropriate. I had picked up this wine a few weeks back having been impressed with a cab from Quenoc a number of years ago. The wine went very well with the steaks offering a very smooth yet a bit uneventful experience. The wine didn’t have the traditional Napa Valley cab strong and impact full flavor as found in most 2005s I have tried. It was much more smooth and mellow. I missed the pizazz that has made the 2005 Napa cabs memorable, but I would still recommend this wine based on price and overall balanced enjoyment.

I was trolling the wine isle at the Giant Eagle mega-mart and noticed they marked this wine from $18 to $14. I had a 2004 or 2005 Francis Coppola Merlot at a work function and it was rather good. I was looking for find something to go with what I was planning on throwing together for dinner since it was Friday and work plus the commute doesn’t allow for much dinner prep time before the natives become really restless: Ohio City Pasta with Trader Joe’s Vodka sauce enhanced with some left over fresh basil that needed to be used before it would be destined for the compost pile added to some lightly browned mild Italian sausage from The Sausage Shoppe. The wine went the meal quite well for the price. There was just enough pepper and tannins to suggest a more expensive wine. I highly recommend this wine if one is a fan of Zinfandels and looking for a moderately priced wine that has a hint of expensive wine taste to it.

I needed a bottle of French Pinot Noir to go into Coq Au Van I was trying to cook for the first time. Par usual, I was watching the Food Network and saw this recipe and wanted to give it a try. Knowing that the wine was going to be used for cooking, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money yet I didn’t want something in a jug either. Since the dish is of French origin and calls for Pinot Noir, I headed to the Heinen’s Bin 75 section in search of a moderately priced bottle. I found a display of this wine with a deep red label. The wine attendant mentioned they have been selling a lot of this wine since they put up the display (or rather, put a nondescript crate in the middle of the wine area and placed a number of bottles of this wine). In short, both the wine and recipe turned out quite excellent. I am not a traditional Pinot fan, but the wine was very drinkable with a mild, light fruit with no strong bite or after taste. It had a very good mouth feel as I was preparing the dish. My wife even enjoyed the dish (but didn’t have the wine) which I was glad since both the wine and recipe are going on the buy/make-again-list!

The latest issue of Wine Spectator lists the 2007 as an 89.  So, I figured the 2006 might not be too bad.  I was very wrong.  I rarely stop after a glass, so I tried a second.  I stopped at the second.  The wine was dry, flat and slightly bitter.  I was very disappointed.  It has been placed on the bottom shelf of the fridge for future cooking uses.

Strolling through the Heinen’s in Pepper Pike I noticed a sign directing attention to this wine.  My first exposure to Malbec a number of years ago left me with the impression the grape variety was plain.  With all of the recent press coverage on how the wines of Argentina are rapidly improving, I thought to give Malbec another try.  I was glad I did.  I enjoyed the wine thuroughly with a meaty chili made of venison.  This wine was a cross between a CA Cabernet and Zinfandel.  I think I am going to have to add Malbec back on the list of grape varieties to actively explore.

I saw this 2005 Cab mixed on the shelf with a similarly labeled 2006s.  So, I figured CA

2005 vintage, worth a try at this price.  I wasn’t blow away, but I wasn’t disappointed

either.  It was very enjoyable at this price point.  I enjoyed the wine with my wife’s

excellent sloppy joes.  I did come away withanything particularly memerable, but if you are

looking for a safe play at around $12, I think you will do well by this wine.  That being

said, I am not sure if I saw it again if I would go out of my way to purchase it.

Before I started writing this wine commentary, say circa 2004/2005, I tried pinotage grape wines from South Africa on a whim.  I was impressed with the earthiness of a Zinfandel yet with the flavor hints of a Cab or Merlot without the over the top pepperiness.  Side note, anyone know where I can find a Joseph’s Hat Pinotage I would be fore ever in your debt.  So when this 05 Pintage caught my eye recently, I thought, let’s give it a try.  I was reminded of those days of discovery when a 2001 Joseph’s Hat or 2000/2001 Roodeburg impressed me.  Maybe trips to Napa and Sonoma and more recently experimenting, with Bordeaux’s and Burnello’s has expanded my appreciation for more complex wines, but, I wasn’t as impressed as I once was with the Pinotage.  Don’t let my subdued enjoyment hamper your exploration of the unique taste experience a Pinotage brings.