Cap Maritime Coastal Pinot Noir

Tasting Note Cap Maritime Coastal Pinot Noir

The Cap Maritime Coastal Pinot Noir opens with clean and inviting aromas of cherry, plum, and blackcurrant, complemented by earthy notes, light smokiness, and subtle spice. On the palate, it is elegant and refined: the fruit is fresh yet ripe, with soft tannins and a beautiful finish in which minerality and wood are subtly present.

Wine & Food Pairing

Cap Maritime Coastal Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey with mushrooms and herbs, duck or pigeon with a fruity sauce, grilled vegetables such as eggplant or bell pepper, creamy pasta or risotto with mushrooms or truffle, and also with veal or lamb in light or mildly spiced preparations.

Other information

The Hemel en Aarde Valley is located about twenty kilometers from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay also known as the 'whale capital' of South Africa. It is warm there, but it rarely gets hotter than thirty degrees during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that the vineyards are generally located at a higher altitude. The perfect place for making wines.

After the harvest, the grapes are transported in refrigerated trucks to the cellars of Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek, where the grapes undergo careful selection. Most of the grapes are destemmed; about 20-25% of the grapes are pressed with whole bunches. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in stainless steel, followed by 12 months of aging in French barriques.

At home in Franschhoek, Marc Kent has made a name for himself with magnificent wines such as Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, all of which belong to the absolute top of South Africa. But Kent has more tricks up his sleeve. In addition to these limited-production showpieces, he also makes exceptionally attractive wines under the names Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap, which are available to a wider audience. The Chocolate Block also definitely belongs in a somewhat higher category here.

Awards/distinctions 🏆

• The 2021 Coastal Pinot Noir received a 95-point score from Decanter.
• The Cap Maritime Pinot Noir (2020) was rated 92 points by Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
• Boekenhoutskloof was named the best winery in South Africa in the 2020 Platter's Wine Guide.
• Head winemaker Gottfried Mocke was named Winemaker of the Year 2020 by Tim Atkin.