BOSCHENDAL APPELLATION ELGIN PINOT NOIR 2016

In the prized cool climate and unique vineyard sites of the Elgin Valley, Boschendal has found a second home to produce this very distinctive range of limited wines. This area consistently produces wines with elegance, finesse and typical Old World restraint. The other hallmarks of the Appellation Series wines are their good minerality, stellar ageability and a remarkable purity of fruit. The Appellation Series, which features a crest honouring Jean le Long, the first title holder of the Boschendal farm in 1685, consists of a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, varieties that are considered to truly shine in this cool-climate area which is garnering increasing international acclaim. This in a traditional apple growing region where vineyards vie for space against orchards. The Highfields farm was purchased in 2017 to protect and build on the legacy these premium wines have achieved over the years.

Berry sorting on arrival at the cellar ensured that only quality grapes were crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for two days. Wild yeast fermentation was allowed to start. A selected Pinot Noir yeast strain was inoculated to complete the alcoholic fermentation that took place in small batches, including some in open-top 500-litre barrels. Gentle punch downs were done by hand. Fermentation completed, the free-run juice was allowed to drain naturally overnight — no mechanical pressing was done at all. From here the wine was transferred to selected French oak barrels in which malolactic fermentation was completed. Barrel maturation was done for 12 months. For the final blend, a barrel selection was done: 15% first-fill, 30% second-fill, 40% third-fill and 15% fourth-fill French oak.