Catherine Marshall Sandstone Pinot Noir 2023

Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir Sandstone is a delicious fruity wine from South Africa. The grapes have grown on 4 different types of sandstone, and the subsequent cellar treatment is minimal to allow the grapes' sandstone character to emerge in the finished wine. Currently has a 3.8 rating on Vivino.

The taste offers a wide spectrum of aromas, covering pomegranate, cranberry, and red cherry, supported by suede-like, dry tannins for texture and complexity.

Catherine Marshall Pinot Noir Sandstone pairs well with shrimp, fatty white fish, Sashimi/Sushi, mushroom risotto, and Mediterranean-inspired vegetables.

While the wine is enjoyable as is, with its fresh red fruit components and textured tannins evident in its youth, it will mature for at least 8 years. During this time, the primary components will develop into tertiary forest floor, truffle, earthy, and umami notes, typical of good Burgundy wine.

The grapes were selected from four cool sites in the Elgin Valley. The soil types for this wine included Table Mountain Sandstone with Silica Quartz and Tukulu (a combination of sand and gravel). French Dijon clones for this blend include 115, 667, and 113, planted in 2001, 2003, and 2005. The combination of these three clones is grown on lighter soils. Yields at harvest averaged between 4-6 tons per hectare, and the grapes were hand-picked and sorted in the vineyards from mid to late February in small 17 kg batches.

What began as a festive grape stomping with a handful of friends on a beach in 1996 paved the way for the establishment of the first true micro-winery in the Western Cape, South Africa, with a focus on Pinot Noir. After researching vineyards throughout the Western Cape, the decision was made in 2007 to primarily source grapes from the cool climate of Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley for Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc, as well as warmer sites for red wines.

Catherine Marshall Wines focuses on complexity and ripe yet restrained fruit by carefully selecting and blending clones grown on sandstone soils in the cool Elgin area. Emphasis is also placed on maximizing layered flavor spectra, balanced with seamless tannin extraction. This is achieved through a minimalist and natural approach with attention to the integrity of varieties, specifically grown on lighter, sandstone soils.

13.5% - 75 cl.