Product Description
Elgin
Varieties
100% Pinot Noir
The Vineyard
This Pinot Noir comes from one of the highest planted vineyard sites in the Elgin valley that is fastidiously managed to achieve classic varietal character in harmony with the inherent terroir. Variable soil types include heavy red clays, Table Mountain sandstone, Bokkeveld shale, Tukulu and
Silica quartz with underlying Caoline clay.
The Harvest
The cooler climate ensured a long, slow ripening period to produce outstanding quality Pinot Noir with balanced ripeness showing good colour and flavour concentration. Yields averaged four to six tons per
hectare, and were handpicked in small batches to retain fruit quality and integrity. Bunch sorting was done in the vineyard.
The Cellar
Berry sorting on arrival at the cellar ensured that only quality grapes were crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for two days. Wild yeast fermentation was allowed to start. A selected Pinot Noir yeast strain was inoculated to complete the alcoholic fermentation that took place in small
batches, including some in open-top 500-litre barrels. Gentle punchdowns were done by hand. Fermentation completed, the free-run juice was allowed to drain naturally overnight — no mechanical pressing was done at all. From here the wine was transferred to selected French oak barrels in which malolactic fermentation was completed. Barrel maturation was done for 12 months. For the final blend, a barrel selection was done: 15% first-fill, 30% second-fill, 40% third-fill and 15% fourth-fill French oak.
Alc: 13% vol
RS: 3.5 g/ℓ
TA: 5.9 g/ℓ
pH: 3.5
Aging Potential
Drinking well already, yet promises greater integration and intrigue for up to 10 years from vintage.
Awards
Tim Atkin 2016 Report
Vintage: 2014
Results: 93 Points
Top 100 2016
Vintage: 2014
Results: Double Gold
Japan Wine Challenge 2016
Vintage: 2014
Results: Gold
Mundus Vini 2016
Vintage: 2014
Results: Gold
John Platter 2017
Vintage: 2014
Results: 4 Stars
Top 100 Wines 2017
Vintage: 2015
Results: Double Gold
International Wine Challenge
Vintage: 2015
Results: Gold
Jame Suckling 2017
Vintage: 2015
Results: 90
