Cap Maritime Pinot Noir 2020

The nose is intense and inviting with an array of pure, rich forest fruit, perfume, and subtle whiffs of exotic spice. Aromas of youngberries, mulberries, brambles, morello cherry, rose petals, red liquorice, and smokiness contribute to a wonderfully complex nose. The palate offers concentration and generous flavours of damson, black cherries, espresso, cinnamon, and star anise. The wine is medium-bodied, brooding and richly textured, with seamless, very fine-grained, plush tannins. The midpalate is full and dark, yet silky, vivid and focused, with rich berry character and balanced acidity.

The Vineyards of Cap Maritime

Translated as "Heaven & Earth", the Hemel-en-Aarde is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa. Cap Maritime is located within the middle of the three appellations, the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a mere 4km from the ocean and perched on the north-west face of the valley with views across the hills and the Bot River Lagoon. With our roots set, we strive to create wines that reflect the essence of their origin while representing a style to which we aspire.

The Hemel-en-Aarde region sub-divided into three appellations based on altitude and soil type. The Upper Hemel-en-Aarde appellation stretches 4km to 8km in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and is distinctively unique with the emergence of igneous decomposed granite over iron-rich clay & sandstone subsoils. The climate here is generally cool and temperate, benefiting from the parallel mountain ranges channeling cold winds through the appellation during summer while regulated by the misty maritime influences from the valley below. Translated as "Heaven & Earth", the Hemel-en-Aarde is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa. Cap Maritime is located within the middle of the three appellations, the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a mere 4km from the ocean and perched on the north-west face of the valley with views across the hills and the Bot River Lagoon. With our roots set, we strive to create wines that reflect the essence of their origin while representing a style to which we aspire. The Hemel-en-Aarde region sub-divided into three appellations based on altitude and soil type. The Upper Hemel-en-Aarde appellation stretches 4km to 8km in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and is distinctively unique with the emergence of igneous decomposed granite over iron-rich clay & sandstone subsoils. The climate here is generally cool and temperate, benefiting from the parallel mountain ranges channeling cold winds through the appellation during summer while regulated by the misty maritime influences from the valley below.

Our Pinot Noir was picked and sorted into small lug boxes and transported in refrigerated trucks to our winery in Franschhoek. At the winery, a careful triage (selection process) took place, to ensure that only healthy whole berries were transferred into concrete fermentation tanks. Most of the grapes were destemmed, leaving a whole-cluster component of about 20% with no additions being made. After spontaneous fermentation, we transferred 60% of the juice to Stockinger 2,500L Foudre, and 40% to new French Oak barriques for elevage of up to 14 months, including a prolonged malolactic fermentation under low temperatures.

60% small Burgundian 1,200L Foudre and 40% new French oak barriques where fermentation began spontaneously. Light batonnage was performed throughout the 14 months of elevage.

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