One of only a handful wines that are produced from a high-density planted vineyard. The La Brune Pinot Noir block is planted at 10,000 vines per hectare, which is unique in South Africa. The block consists of five different clones of Pinot Noir, with three being used for La Brune Pinot Noir. Planted in Ferricrete soil which brings beautiful structure to the wine. High density creates a very unique micro-climate with the bunches that is more exposed to broken or diffused light intensity rather than direct sunlight. This optimises slow and extended ripening leading to perfect ripening and maturity at picking. Each vine carries less than 1 Kg of grapes per vine which increases complexity in the grapes berry.

Each clone is kept separate during vinification with long pre-soaking of 20 days before fermentation starts spontaneously. 80% wholebunch are added to the tanks to add tightness and perfume to the wine. Extraction is done softly by hand, wholebunches are moved by climbing into the fermentation vessels and walking through the vessel a real Burgundian method.

228L Burgundian barrels are used for maturation. Maturation period was 2 months with 30% new barrels used. These barrels have been crafted specially for the La Brune wines by a Burgundian cooper over the last 10+ years. The barrels are very low in toast which brings freshness, tightness and length to wine, but most importantly respecting terroir and cultivar.

“This vintage is all about the earth. As the vines pushed their roots deep into the soil to survive that profile is infused into this wine. Chalk, mushrooms, truffles and forest floor with some cherry notes. The gift of this wine is the linear, tight and feminine palate, finishing off with beautiful chalk and minerality.” – Winemaker’s notes