‘The Valley’ Pinot Noir

Elgin - South Africa

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About

Nico’s ‘The Valley’ Pinot Noir is made with five different Dijon clones for a variety of textures and flavor profiles (PN113, 115, 777, 667, 459). Clones 113, 777, and 549 tend to be higher in acidity and high toned, perfumed, and elegant, while the other two add color, tannin, and power. Nico has always had a soft spot for Pinot Noir after spending a significant amount of time in Burgundy working with Bruno Lorenzon of Domaine Lorenzon in Mercurey. ‘The Valley’ Pinot Noir is some of the finest value you can find for this variety in South Africa – and it very much gives Burgundian Pinot Noirs at the same price point a run for their money. Nico is calling 2025 a “Pinot Noir vintage of the decade.” He says it was “a vintage with a rare combination of intensity, power, texture but also elegance, freshness and finesse. The greatest gift from this vintage is the earthy, chalky finish is the signature of this terroir.”

The grapes were hand harvested and brought back to the cellar for 10 days of a pre-fermentation cold soak. After that, the juice was pressed off the skins and was placed into a custom 1.2 ton stainless steel tank for fermentation. From there, it went to a variety of Burgundian oak barrels (5% new, 40% 228L, 20% 300L and 40% 500L) for 8 months of aging. At that point, the barrels were blended in tank and the wine was bottled with a coarse filtration, fining, and dosage of sulfur.

Stats

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Multiple vineyards in the Elgin Valley
Vine Age: 11+-years-old
Soil Type: Ferricrete, shale, and Table Mountain sandstone
Viticulture: Conventional
Fermentation: Native — stainless-steel (20% whole cluster)
Skin Contact: 10 days (cold soak)
Aging: 8 months in 5% new, 40% 228L, 20% 300L and 40% 500L Burgundian oak barrels
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.41
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
Total SO2: 90 ppm
Total Production: 2,083 cases
UPC: 0700083666475
SRP: $24.99

Tasting Notes

Opens with a beautiful nose of blueberry compote, dried herbs, and forest floor. The color is a deep, glistening ruby, and the palate is firm with concentrated red and blue fruits. The finish tightens beautifully, leaving an earthy, chalky texture that adds depth and character.

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‘The Valley’ Pinot Noir

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