Kershaw Pinot Noir 2018, Sydafrika

**2018 Kershaw Elgin Pinot Noir** **Varietal:** 100% Pinot Noir from French clones PN777, PN667, PN115, PN114, and PN113. **Origin:** Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa **Production:** 6. 87 tons from 6 small parcels. **History:** Established in 2012 by Richard Kershaw MW, Richard Kershaw Wines focuses on clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wines. Elgin Valley, South Africa’s coolest wine district, offers ideal conditions for grapes like Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. **Vintage:** Handpicked between 14th – 24th February 2017. Brix at harvest: 22. 60 – 24. 90. **Season:** 2018 had a cool winter with low rainfall. Early budbreak and flowering, strong winds, and a cool December led to smaller berries with concentrated flavors. January rain nourished the soils. Harvest in February under blue skies with cool nights resulted in wines with natural acidity, pure fruit flavors, and fine tannins. **Winemaking:** Handpicked, sorted, and destemmed grapes underwent a 3-day maceration and spontaneous fermentation. Gentle pigeage, 10-16 days on skins, gravity racking to barrel, and basket-pressed pomace. Malolactic fermentation in barrel, light sulphuring, and 11-month maturation. Racked and filtered before bottling. **Barrel Selection:** French oak from Burgundy, 12% new, with 2nd and 3rd fill barrels of 228, 300, and 500 liters. **Alcohol:** 13.