Pinot Noir

Stellenbosch - South Africa

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About

The first wine to be released in the Ann Faure lineup is Pinot Noir, a grape that Mick and Jeanine used to have in their Craven line. It’s a variety they’ve always enjoyed drinking, and when an offer of fruit came their way, they couldn’t say no. They were drawn to the idea of creating an accessible Pinot, both in terms of style and price, yet that lacks nothing in dimension—a challenging rubric for Pinot from anywhere these days. In this sense, Ann Faure is a gateway, not just to the Craven’s wines, but to Stellenbosch, to South Africa even more broadly, and to soulful Pinot Noir that speaks of its terroir. It comes from the decomposed granite soils of Stellenbosch, where, in the 2024 vintage, there was nice warmth early on that led to really nice tannin profiles.

The winemaking is very simple. The handpicked grapes were fermented with native yeast after de-stemming but no crushing in concrete tanks. After eight days, the wine was pressed off the skins and was sent to 80% stainless steel tanks and 20% concrete squares. After about 10 months, the wine was bottled with a light sheet filtration and a small dosage of sulfur. No fining.

Stats

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Stellenbosch Kloof
Vine Age: 15-years-old
Soil Type: Decomposed granite
Viticulture: Sustainable
Fermentation: Native – concrete (100% whole berry)
Skin Contact: 8 days
Aging: 6 months in stainless steel (80%) and concrete tanks (20%)
Alcohol: 12%
pH: 3.65
Total Acidity: 5.2 g/L
Total SO2: 50 ppm
Total Production: 415 cases
UPC: 6001651269864

Tasting Notes

Bright & buoyant. It greets you with sun-warmed red cherry and wild strawberry, its energy lifted by brisk granite-driven freshness. Beneath lies a savory heart—black tea leaf, dried herb, and a chalky mineral streak—that keeps it rooted in place. Finishing fine-boned and resonant, it’s a wine that feels both familiar and subtly untamed, like California chill with South African seriousness.

2024

Pinot Noir

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