Product Description
Elgin, South Africa
Varieties
100% Pinot noir
The Vineyard
Currently there are 22.9 hectares planted to Pinot noir on the estate, which equates to 30% of the total plantings. Clones include 667, 777, 113, 115 and PN5. The first vines were planted in 1989 and the youngest blocks in 2015. Vines range in age from 2 to 29 years. The soil is predominantly decomposed Bokkeveld Shale with underlying clay layers of varying depths. Vine orientation is North/South on North east and South facing slopes and North west/South east on the South facing slopes. Height above sea level ranges from 280 to 400 meters.
The Harvest
Picking of the grapes took place in the early hours of the morning– starting at 3 in the morning to
ensure the grapes are cool. Harvesting started the 9th of February and continued until the 16th of
March. Grapes came in at sugars of between 21-23 ° Brix. Fortunately, we do experience very cool
night temperatures in Elgin, this helped the grapes retain freshness
The Cellar
Only Burgundian clones (667, 113,115 and 777) are used. Extensive individual berry sorting was done
by hand prior to crushing. This was followed by cold maceration at 12°- 14° Celsius for 6-8 days. The
fermentation was allowed to start naturally and was then some tanks were inoculated with selected
strains of Burgundian yeast after 3 – 4 days to ensure a complete fermentation. Where we experienced
strong clean wild ferments, it was allowed to continue. During the fermentation, the skin cap was
punched through by hand 2 times per day. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to French oak
barrels where malolactic fermentation took place. (27% new wood, the rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill.)
Maturation in oak was for 12 months, on the lees for the full period. After tasting and blending trials, the wine was racked (displaced using Nitrogen gas rather than pumping), assembled and prepared for bottling.
Alcohol 13.5%
Total Acidity 5.9g/l
Residual Sugar 2.3g/l
pH 3.35
Production 5 000 cases (x6)
