Elgin Ridge, 282 Pinot Noir 2016

Marion and Brian Smith sold their business in the UK, and, after scouring the wine regions of Europe for the perfect place to buy a property, ended up finding it in Elgin. Their small farm is planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and their objective from the beginning was to be organic.

CLIMATE

Cool climate, similar to that of Burgundy. The elevated position of the vineyards means that they have cold winters and warm summers whilst the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean provides cool coastal breezes keeping the vines healthy when the temperatures rise.

TERROIR & VITICULTURE

Elgin Ridge sits high on the slopes of a mountain in the Elgin Valley. The vines are planted 282 metres above sea level on Bokkeveld shale with underlying clay and is completely untouched by chemicals. Vines are on average 6 years old. Farm vegetation is recycled and they make their own compost ensuring that the vines are truly natural. The rows between the vines are ploughed by horse whilst the pest control is carried out by ducks!

VINIFICATION

• Manual harvest

• Destemmed

• Fermented with wild yeasts in open-top stainless vats for 21 days at 22oC

• Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel

• Aged in French oak barrels (15% new) for 11 months and a further 2 years in bottle before release

• Light filtration

• Not fined

TASTING NOTE

A bright ruby in colour, the wine displays a raspberry and dark cherry fruit core with subtle floral scents. On the palate the acid adds an uplifting freshness to the cherry fruits and floral scent. The texture is silky with well-integrated, juicy tannins.

FOOD RECOMMENDATION

Duck or pasta dishes.