Vrede Pinot Noir
2021
Region
South Africa › Western Cape › Walker Bay › WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Type
red · still
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Alcohol
13%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
2.8 g/L
Tasting Notes
I recall this wine as rather conventional, so perhaps my memory is faltering, there's a bottle variation, or this particular release leans more towards the style of some natural Spätburgunder from Baden. Interestingly, I found myself enjoying it much more on the second day after opening the bottle (forgive me father for I have failed to consume this bottle in a single sit). Initially a bit too crazy, it mellowed into something pleasant and complex. The wine offers aromas of dogwood berries, blueberries, sour cherry, and a hint of amaro mixed with syrup, complemented by a touch of spices, earthiness, and VA. On the palate, it's fresh and juicy with a strong bitter finish and umami. The tannins are initially dry and not well integrated, though they become more silky with time. It's medium-bodied with a long aftertaste. Overall, it's a bit of a puzzling wine---well-made and delicious, yet with some challenging elements.
About
This wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, grown using sustainable agriculture on an east-facing sloping parcel of land with poor, stony soil. The soil contains clay and schist. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and cold-macerated for 10 days in open vats. They are then fermented using indigenous yeasts, pressed in a traditional wooden vertical press, and matured for 9-11 months in French oak barrels, with around 25% new oak. The wine is neither filtered nor fined, and sulfites are used judiciously.
