Pinot Noir

The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness. 30% whole bunch fermented in large 5000 litre vats with gentle pump-overs twice a day. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression and structure of this wine. The free run wine was drained off and the fermented grapes were then pressed in a traditional wooden basket press.

70% of the grapes came from Stanford in Walker Bay and 30% from Kaaimansgat (Crocodile’s lair) in Elandskloof, both in the cool climate region Cape South Coast. The vines are all Burgundian, clone 115. The Stanford vineyard is close to the southernmost tip of Africa and is in one of South Africa’s coolest wine producing regions. The maritime vineyard enjoys a long ripening season, because of the strong cooling winds that are prevalent in the summer. This microclimate is ideal for creating a long hang time, concentrating the flavours in the berries, while retaining natural acidity levels. Kaaimansgat is situated 700m above sea level and its continental climate allows for perfect winter dormancy and ripens even later than the coastal vineyards. The vines here are planted on decomposed granite soil high in clay content.

The wine was racked into 225, 300 and 500 litre barrels where malolactic fermentation took place, and the wine was aged for 10 months. 25% new French oak was used.