Pinot Noir, Ignis, Hemel en Aarde, 2022

Violet in colour with jewel-like berries and red fruits, the Ignis feels crisper on the nose initially, offering richer spices and tea leaves with a certain crackling quality. Fine acidity and less obviously ferrous in 2022 than it can be, this is the most delicate and fruit driven Ignis we have tasted. Where Vrede is 50% clay and 50% shale, the Ignis site is cluttered with round pebbles on the surface with primarily decomposed granite underlying. Situated at 225m elevation in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, it is (warm) north facing but more exposed to the wind. It has been farmed organically since 2015.