Freedom Pinot Noir

Ideal with duck and other game birds, casseroles or, of course, stews like beef bourguignon.

The two vineyards that produce this Pinot Noir are planted with the Dijon clones 115 and 777 and has now reached more than a decade of producing some of the finest grapes of the region. Elgin is one of the naturally coolest vineyard locations in South Africa. Its altitude (300m – 400m above sea level is considerably higher than the 150-250m of Stellenbosch) benefits the location through naturally lower temperatures and higher rainfall. Here we find a greater degree of cloud cover because of the specific topography of the region that results not only in lower daytime temperatures during summer, but also a gentler spectrum of sunlight to ripen developing bunches. Also, veraison tends to occur much later in Elgin and only once the hottest summer spells are past. Elgin is an area rich in geological diversity and these vineyards benefit from the finest examples of Table Mountain Sandstone and Cartref soil types, which impart an elegant minerality to the wine. Strong winds in late spring meant a smaller crop with moderate temperatures during ripening. These even cool conditions resulted in lower alcohol levels in this vintage.

Only 10% new oak was used in support of the lovely fruit concentration achieved in the vineyard. The maturation of the wine, on the lees, lasted for almost 10 months before we assembled the barrels and then bottling.

Following a pre-selection process in the vineyards, the grapes are picked by hand at dawn into 15kg lug-boxes. They are then transported to our winery on the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. Hand sorting is employed to ensure only the best grapes are used. In 2021, whole berry fermentation took place in open top 600L oak barrels, resulting in a wonderfully perfumed fruit expression. By using only hands to punch down the caps, only the finest tannin was extracted during the 10 day maceration. After fermentation, the skins were then basket pressed and the wine transferred directly to a selection of 3rd and 4th fill barrels.

Founded in 1998 by Alex Dale, Radford Dale set about the Cape in search of exciting vineyard parcels for their chosen specialist varietals. Today, they have two producing wineries. The first is located in Stellenbosch, predominantly focused on sourcing maritime influenced parcels around the Helderberg and Polkadraai. Here, they produce the cult, single vineyard wines of Renaissance Chenin Blanc and Frankenstein Pinotage, and the Radford Dale Vinum range; a set of six wines that consistently overdeliver on style to price. The 2022 vintage marked the maiden release from their own vineyards purchased in Elgin under Radford Dale Organic, with the release of four single varietal Estate wines, the only organic certified vineyards in the region. More recently, they have co-founded South Africa’s first Organic Wine Association. They continue to reintroduce Gamay Noir to the Cape, establishing the first new plantings for some 20 years. It’s a varietal geared up to thrive in warm conditions, and on granite soils. Stylistically, Gamay also embodies Radford Dale’s championing of elegant, refreshing red wines.