PINOT NOIR
Klein Karoo
The grapes for the Gabriel & Gysbert Pinot Noir is harvested in the Keisie Valley, an area located between the town of Montague and the Koo Valley at the foot of the Klein Karoo.
VINEYARDS
The grapes for the Gabriel & Gysbert Pinot Noir is harvested in the Keisie Valley, an area located between the town of Montague and the Koo Valley at the foot of the Klein Karoo.
Nights tend to be notably cooler in this area throughout the ripening time, offering the vineyards respite from the otherwise hot and dry growing conditions. This also contributes greatly to the development of a vibrant red pigment in the fruit.
The West-facing block is planted with clone 115 Pinot Noir, established at 540m above sea-level, and with a North to South row direction. The soil is predominantly made up of Klein Karoo shale.
WINEMAKING
The Pinot Noir was harvested by hand at 22.9º Balling, early in the morning, and then cold-soaked for two days. During this time, manual punch-downs were done every 4 hours to ensure optimal colour extraction from the typically thin skins of the grapes.
From there, the mash was transferred to a basket press where it was very lightly pressed by hand. The wine was then pumped into two 300 litre 2nd fill Mercery barrels where it matured for 12 months before bottling.
TASTING
Appearance – Medium Ruby in colour, fading to a clear pale Ruby edge.
Nose – A vibrant and lively burst of red fruit consisting predominantly of raspberry and cherry, with a hint of black currants and candy floss, followed by a nuanced and grounded earthy note.
Palate – The side-palate immediately awakens with an acidity true to the varietal, while the front- and mid-palate is enveloped in an elegant continuation of the experiences encountered on the nose. Red fruit weave seamlessly between flavours of liquorice, rose hip, cedar wood, and a ‘forest-floor’ truffle-like umami note on the finish.
PAIRING
Duck is a universal partner for Pinot Noir, but for a wine from these warmer conditions, you need a sauce that matches in intensity – ideally a cherry reduction stewed with a splash of the wine itself. Alternatively, to match the earthy notes of the wine, a Roast Wild Mushroom Risotto will emphasise the wine’s fruit notes, while the similarities in terroir origin will perfectly match a Roast Rack of Karoo Lamb.
DETAILS
100% Pinot Noir | Mid-full | 10 ton / ha | 18.02 | 2 X 300L |
745 Bottles | 12ºC - 15ºC | 5 - 8 Years | Burgundy Red | Not Advised |
ANALYSIS
13.78% VOL | 2.9 g/l | 5.8 g/l | 0.48 g/l | 3.43 |
TASTING NOTES
