Lothian Vineyards Pinot Noir 2021

Elgin, South Africa

Wine Enthusiast 91 points! Tim Atkin 92 points

Lothian Vineyards Pinot Noir is a beautiful red wine gem from Elgin, just 45 miles southeast of Cape Town. In its opulent setting on the banks of the Palmiet River and a private lake in the Elgin Valley, Lothian Vineyards shines in a class of its own. It is situated in the Kogelberg, the world’s richest and most diverse biosphere with more than 1800 plant species, of which over 70 are found nowhere else on the planet. Years of searching for the perfect location finally revealed Elgin’s cool-climate terroir as an elegant setting for growing grapes to produce exceptional Burgundian-style Pinot Noir.

"Earthy aromas, followed by hints of licorice and mulberries shape the nose of this rich Pinot Noir. The palate shows hints of balsamic, savory mushrooms, nutmeg and white pepper. Fresh acidity provides balance and depth for a lingering finish."--Jesica Vargas, Wine Enthusiast, 91 points!

The Lothian Vineyards Pinot Noir comes from a 2.25ha vineyard planted to two different clones. The fruit was hand harvested, gently crushed and racked off into French oak barrique (20% new). The wine was barrel matured for a period of eleven months and lightly filtered prior to bottling to maintain the wine’s integrity and subtle Pinot flavor spectrum. On the nose spicy oak gives way to violets and forest floor. The entry is silky. The mid-palate weight of this wine is remarkable. There are baked plums and morello cherries to be discovered. The youthfulness of this wine is revealed by the cocoa powder tannins that develop along with hints of dark chocolate and strawberry.

Enjoy Lothian Vineyards Pinot Noir with roast pork, grilled salmon, ratatouille and aged cheeses.