Pinot Noir, Windansea, Cape Winemakers Guild, 2020

Brimming with ripe, succulent but bristling cherries, blackberries and ripe strawberries, the Windansea auction bottling is beautifully measured with fresh acidity and layers of spicy notes, underpinned by suave, contoured tannins, toasty oak, touches of coffee bean, earth and camphor. The Windansea vineyard is situated directly in front of the cellar in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde and is clay-granite based. The auction bottling comes from a particularly stony part of the vineyard which imparts a sense of rigour and minerality to the wine. Long and highly impressive. Fermented in stainless steel, moved to 30% new French barrique for 11 months, before a final 6 months’ élevage in large neutral wood. 50 cases were submitted to the auction.