Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010 75cl

6 x Bottle (75cl)

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Price

£131.04

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Colour
Red
Vintage
2010
Producer
Newton Johnson
Country
SOUTH AFRICA
Region
WALKER BAY
Product code
13NEW12B2010
Availability
1 case
Grape Variety
100% Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

Beautifully soft, with a chocolaty nose and plenty of spice combined with a little gamy edge and some bright fleshy fruit. Deliciously harmonious, with a soft red fruit and spice palate, good tannins and juicy cherry acidity the lengthens and freshens the finish. Delicate and a very beautiful.

Vinification Details.

All the fruit is harvested by hand and picked in to large-surface area 13kg crates. The harvest is cooled down overnight to 8 ºC in the winery's grape refrigeration room. The bunches are sorted on a conveyor, destemmed, berry sorted by hand again, and crushed (60% whole berry). All transfers of grape must are attained with the use of gravity which preserves the integrity of the wine. Cold maceration ensues for 3 to 6 days. The primary and

malolactic fermentation is 100% natural, i.e. no cultured yeast or innoculant is added. Only pigeage (punching down) is applied for extraction. After pressing the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in oak barriques. 100% matured in barriques (228L) for 10 months using a blend of Burgundy cooperages. Tighter grain oak is preferred, with longer seasoning and toasting, a selection barrel in most cases. New oak-32%, 2nd fill-38%, 3rd fill-30%.

Producer Information

Newton Johnson Vineyards is owned and managed by the Newton Johnson family. They are based near the seaside town of Hermanus, an hour and a half's drive out of Cape Town. This is a popular tourist destination, famous for some of the most spectacular land-based whale watching in the world and also known for its bracing 'champagne' air, lush indigenous 'fynbos' (literally 'fine bush,' a Plant Kingdom exclusive to the Cape), mountain walks and bike trails. Their farm lies a close six kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean in the scenic Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a bit of "heaven on earth" as the name implies. This cool climate appellation is recognised as home to some of the Cape's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Dave, a Cape Wine Master, has over 30 years' experience in the South African wine industry. He is ably assisted by his equally wine and food-focused wife, Felicity Newton. Her sons are Gordon and Bevan. Gordon, the winemaker, crafts the wines to translate the message of the soils into the wine. Bevan is the managing director and in charge of the marketing. His creative wife Ezanne is a freelance graphic artist with experience in the wine industry, and she adds flair to the promotional material. Come harvest time, you'll find the whole family working together in the cellar.

Regional info.

Newton Johnson Vineyards is a family owned and managed winery. They are based near the seaside town of Hermanus, which is an hour and a half's driveout of Cape Town. The town is a popular tourist destination, famous for some of the most spectacular land-based whale watching in the world and also known for its bracing 'champagne' air, lush indigenous 'fynbos' ('fine bush,' a Plant Kingdom exclusive to the Cape), mountain walks and bike trails.

The farm lies a close six kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean in the scenic Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley. This cool-climate appellation has already established itself as one of the premier viticultural sites in the Cape, traditionally specialising in Pinot noir and Chardonnay but has recently proved an affinity for sensual Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. In South African terms it is seen as one of the coolest vineyard sites, with the ability to create wines of finesse, balance and complexity and is unique as the only appellation in the Cape where every vineyard has a view of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

The soils of the valley vary tremendously and offer considerable complexity. Pure white sandstone soils change dramatically into duplex soils with organic, dark sandy soil on the surface and heavy reddish clay below, that in turn changes into deep, gravelly yellow Tukulu soils, then these change into rocky stone a la 'Chateauneuf'..... The radical diversity is remarkable, and can be seen within a 20 minute walk!

This is the maiden vintage of Chardonnay from the Newton Johnson property in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde. They set their own standards in the establishment of these vineyards with respect to the quality of vine material sourced and the prevention of infection from the notorious type-3 leafroll virus. This virus affects the vines ability for photosynthesis, deteriorating further with age, causing insufficient ripening and bad quality grapes. After 7 years of management, The NJ team is proud to say that they are virus free, controlled 100% biologically, and look forward to producing wines from healthy and mature vineyards.

The Walker Bay district, surrounding the seaside town of Hermanus, is reputed for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines which emanate from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - this encompasses the wards of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday's Glen and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (see separate entry for the Bot River ward). The area is also being noticed for the outstanding and consistent quality of its Pinotage. Fine examples of Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz are also being produced here. The cool climate is the sought-after attribute in this area where vineyards benefit from persistent cooling winds from the nearby ocean. The soils - predominantly weathered shales - and terroir are also ideal for cool-climate loving varieties.

More information

ageing potential

1-8 years

residual sugar

2g/l

vegetarians

Yes

food match

Slow roasted pork shoulder

soil

Shale and fine fragments of quartz in organic-rich sandy topsoil above a layer of red clay subsoil.

wine ph

3.76

makers name

Gordon & Nadia Newton Johnson

total acidity

5.3g/l

organic

vegans