Common causes
- Toasted oak barrels or oak alternatives.
- Very ripe fruit that reads as roasted or dark.
- Earthy, savory character from site and grape expression.
- Coffee-chocolate styles that emphasize mocha and roast notes.
Style Guide
Why does Pinotage taste smoky?
Some Pinotage tastes smoky because of oak, roasting-like winemaking notes, ripe dark fruit, or naturally savory grape character. Not every Pinotage is smoky.
How to find less smoky Pinotage
Look for descriptions such as fresh, bright, red-fruited, unoaked, low-oak, or modern. For richer smoky examples, see coffee chocolate Pinotage.