Winemaker Notes
This low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of well under 35 hl/ha and their philosophy of expressing their terroir in the wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of this Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir is not overtly fruity, soft and "sweet" and it generally shows hints of that alluring savory "primal" character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
There’s a spicy character to the nose of this robust red, with notes of clove and whole peppercorn riding atop the crunchy cranberry, rhubarb and currant fruit profile. The palate is tense and sprightly in feel, with more of the same bright red fruit flavors, ample acidity and a moderate tannic structure that suggests this would benefit from some time to further mature and harmonize. The medium-length finish offers plenty of tannic grip and fruit-skin flavors. Enjoy through 2028.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Pinot Noir is still a touch tight and shows a mineral tension with bright, tart red fruit. Slightly underripe strawberry and cherries mingle with cranberry and soft earth tones. The palate is bright and still tight with the tart red fruit expression driving through to the finish showing bright acidity. The finish lingers with hints of dusty minerality and soft rose petal on the medium to long finish. This wine is still young and will age well; just be patient and give it some time in your cellar. 29,256 bottles made. Rating: 90+
-
Wine Spectator
A modern, well-crafted version, showing good harmony overall and a seductive palate, exhibiting dark cherry flavors and hints of clove and vanilla, while mineral and floral accents take the back seat. Solid finish.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A relatively cool, maritime climate area, Walker Bay includes three important wards: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. These sites benefit from the cooling ocean winds and are reputed for the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinotage.