Boschendal 2020 1685 Pinot Noir

Details

The vineyards from which this lush Pinot Noir originate from have their roots in the cooler regions of the Western Cape. Vineyards ranging from the high-elevations of the Ceres-Plateau on the Western Coasts side to Elgin (60% of the blend), which boasts some of the coolest vineyards in South Africa with an elevation of up to 1,348 feet. The soils are comprised mostly of decomposed granite and alluvial shales that have the capacity for optimal water retention to ensure the grapes are not overly stressed in the warmer months. All of the Pinot Noir is trellised, hand-pruned and harvested. Before harvesting the grapes, the vineyard teams go into the blocks to do bunch sorting. At one of the Elgin blocks, which also happens to have one of the highest elevations for vineyards in Elgin, it is found that baboons from the surrounding mountain range and Groenlandberg Nature Conservancy enjoy the grapes. Consequently extra care is always taken to ensure that no damaged bunches stay on the vines for long.

Alcohol percentage: 13.5

Tasting Notes

This elegant Pinot Noir stands its ground against any bolder style red with a voluptuous palate of ripe cherries, red and blackcurrant and a spicier note of clove and all-spice. On the nose the wine gives aromatics of rosehip and potpourri with a hint of tobacco and toasted brioche. Soft flavors of plum and caramel coat the palate on the lengthy finish, that carries itself well with a good acid-balance. This wine is suitable to drink as-is but will also age beautifully over the next two to three years, as the fresh fruit becomes slightly more subdued and opens up to the menagerie of forest floor and mushroom characters that are true to style of South African Pinot Noir.