Pinot Noir, Vrede, Hemel en Aarde, 2023
Vrede 2023 offers an absorbing succulence of fruit, balanced with powdery tannins and resonant red fruits. Medium in body with fresh strawberry, a touch of oak, cocoa, violet and rose. Gorgeous. Vrede is a north-east facing slope in the lower Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, the soils are predominantly stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale bringing texture and complexity. Aged for a year in 25% new French oak.
critic reviews
The 2023 Pinot Noir Vrede includes 10% whole bunch and is aged for 12 months in French oak from Burgundian coopers. This has a very perfumed floral bouquet with expressive red cherry and strawberry fruit and a hint of sous-bois. You would not be able to differentiate this from a Burgundy! The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy dark berry fruit, quite spicy and peppery, with a touch of leafiness towards the finish that just attenuates slightly. Not bad, although I err towards the previous vintage.