The hard boys of Bot River – the kind who are so tough, they make onions cry – have a new war cry. “We drink Pinotage and piss Pinot Noir.” To help them in their pursuits, Wildekrans are about to release a maiden MCC made from Pinotage and Pinot Noir. Here is winemaker William Wilkinson and estate owner Amanda Harlow (Gary was busy braaing) discussing the project yesterday.

Attention has been focused on the sleepy Bot River appellation after an abrupt increase in quality brought on by the likes of Niels Verburg and his Luddite Wines, Gabrielskloof and Wildekrans and the appointment of Beaumont familiar JP Rossouw as the new publisher of the Platter sighted wine guide. All eyes are on JP as the recent appointment of a new editor at his eponymous restaurant guide offers hope that the atrocious conflicts of interest in the Bacchanalian BS Business are at last being seriously addressed.

Still it will be hard to judge Mandy’s new MCC impartially at the most credible annual tasting of Pinotages – the ABSA Top Ten Competition – as it will likely be the only one. So I can give my sighted score here anyway: 17/20.