A 40-mile drive south of Cape Town brings us to the Western Cape of South Africa. The aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and, in this case Pinot Noir, feel very much at home in Elgin’s cool maritime climate and the region produces wines that are highly expressive and characterful. Nick’s first encounter with wine from this producer was the Thelema Merlot from the Stellenbosch area (which we featured in last Saturday’s wine tasting and which we sell in our online shop). He was blown away by this fantastic value-for-money yet complex and oh so classy wine. This Pinot Noir is a chip off the old block.

Nose

Burgundy style. Cranberry, strawberry and raspberry. Walnut. Leather. Forrest floor. Mushroom. Wild flowers. Star anise. Herbal and woody.

Palate

Again, bags of warming yet ripe red fruits. Vanilla. Oak. Tobacco and clove. Milk chocolate. Cherry cola.