Sutherland – Pinot Noir

2019

Pinot Noir

Elgin, South Africa

The Webb family winemaking legacy began in 1983 when the lure of wine inspired Gyles Webb to toss aside his career as an accountant and start Thelema Mountain Vineyards in Stellenbosch. The success of Thelema spurred Gyles to search for a second vineyard site. In 2002 he found an idylic farm set on a high plateau surrounded by four mountain ranges, and Sutherland Vineyards was born. The Elgin Valleys altitude and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provide a unique cool-climate location for growing Pinot Noir. Fermented in stainless steel tanks before resting in barrels for malolactic conversion, the wine then ages for 9 months in a mixture of new and used French oak. Pleasantly perfumed aromatics with notes of dried herbs and prevalent strawberry character give way to juicy fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry with characteristic earthiness and notes of smoke, spice and vanilla. Grilled salmon with an herb risotto would be a perfect compliment to this wine.