Lothian Vineyards : Pinot Noir 2015

A Cool Climate Pinot Noir with a Savoury Bouquet from South Africa

Situated on the banks of the Palmiet River in the Elgin Valley on the Western Cape of South Africa, Lothian Vineyards is run by the third generation of winemakers in the Wilson family, originally from Scotland. In the cool climate provided in part by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, the team cultivates Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling with a non-interventionist approach in order to allow for the maximum expression of terroir in the fruit. At the healm of the winemaking at Lothian Vineyards is renowned Master of Wine Richard Kershaw, who has chosen an authentic and traditionalist Burgundy-style winemaking to produce a stunning array of elegant and complex varietal wines. The Lothian Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015 is a 100% Pinot Noir wine coming from a 2.25-hectare vineyard, where the fruit is harvested by hand, gently crushed and fermented in open vats for 10 days using only native yeasts and manual pigeage. After the must is pressed, the wine is transferred to French oak barriques (of which 20% is new), where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wines is matured in barrel for 11 months and then lightly filtered before bottling.

At the tasting, the Pinot Noir 2015 from Lothian Vineyards displays a beautiful ruby red color and a thin, pale rim. The nose expresses notes of fresh eucalyptus and camphor, along with generous aromas of freshly baked and buttered buns. When left alone, the wine develops a stunning complexity, finally revealing angostura bitters and dark chocolate. In the mouth, red fruit flavors dominate at the beginning, making way to more savory notes on the mid-palate. This South African Pinot Noir offers pleasantly smooth tannins, making it a wine to enjoy now or age for a year or two.