Description
Tasting Notes
After a one year hiatus, this wine returns with a vintage that is bold, balanced and intense. Aromatics of red cherry, pomegranate and rhubarb lead to a full mid palate with notes of soy, dark chocolate and wild rosemary adding gravitas to the high toned fruit. Fresh, black tea-like tannins provide savoury grip and conspire with a saline edge for a textured and long finish. A landmark vintage from the Vrede site.
VINEYARDS
The ‘Bona Fide’ Pinot Noir is produced from a single vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley area of Walker Bay. This single site is characterised by heavy clay and decomposed shales. The heavy soils create stress for the vines resulting in a wine of great concentration and flavour while maintaining freshness and elegance, typical of the Hemel-en-Aarde area
VINTAGE
Healthy winter rainfall began to replenish water reserves in the soil and sustained the vines through the growing season. Cooler conditions in the lead up to harvest were beneficial. The grapes underwent a perfectly paced slow and steady ripening and were harvested with concentrated flavours balanced by fresh natural acidity. However, 2021 was still affected by the preceding drought years. This meant the vines were only just starting to recover fully and resulted in low yields. Despite this, Peter-Allan was “very happy with the quality and elegance” of the 2021 vintage.
VINIFICATION
Fermentation occurred spontaneously with no commercial yeasts added. 50% of the grapes were fermented as whole clusters, with the rest destemmed but left intact as whole berries. Total time on skins was six weeks after which the wine spent 11 months in 228L French oak barriques, 20% of which was new.
ABV 14%
RS 2.7g/L
TA 5.5g/L
pH 3.56
