NOM PINOT NOIR
VINTAGES 2015 - 2022
Nom Pinot noir 2022
– 12 barrels produced by winemaker Jessica Saurwein
​
Origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp
The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. This vineyard lies at 700 m above sea-level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening of this cultivar. Pinot noir clones 115, 667 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.
Vintage 2022:
This was a superb vintage with good conditions for set and ripening. The wine is intense and graceful, yet rather powerful. The tannin is silky, medium-grained and is supported by fresh acidity, which brings the desired tension and a sense of weightlessness. I love this vintage, as it reminds me of riding my horse Fiver on the future vineyard site.
Winemaking:
Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal and the wine spent 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (26% new and older). My approach is as minimal intervention as possible.
Descriptors of the nose:
Mixed red and dark berry fruit, rose hip, lifted cocoa, typical and the unique orange rind character imparted by the vineyard site.
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
Red and black cherry fruit, umami, roasted chestnuts, silky medium grained tannins, balanced acidity and the wine will gather further complexity with age. I feel like making a Tom-Yum soup every time I taste this wine, as the salty savour longs for the fruit of the Nom Pinot. Drink: 2023 – 2033
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
​
Alcohol: 14,0%
Nom Pinot noir 2021
– 10 barrels produced by winemaker Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp. The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. This vineyard lies at 700 m above sea-level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening of this cultivar. Pinot noir clones 115, 667 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.
Vintage 2021:
This was an excellent vintage with ideal conditions for set and ripening. The wine offers intensity and power without weight. The tannin is silky, medium-grained and is supported by a lovely fresh acidity, which brings the desired tension.
Winemaking:
Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal and the wine spent 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).
Descriptors of the nose:
Mixed red and dark berry fruit, rose hip, lifted cocoa, typical and the unique orange rind character imparted by the vineyard site
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
Red and black cherry fruit, umami, roasted chestnuts, silky medium grained tannins, balanced acidity and the wine will gather further complexity with age. Drink: 2022 – 2030
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin, French cuisine, North Indian mild curries, Asian-style dishes, fish, red meat stews, poultry and especially duck
Alcohol: 14,1%
​
Ratings:
​
92/100 Neal Martin
95/100 Tim Atkin
94/100 Christian Eedes
16.5/20 Julia Harding
Nom Pinot noir 2020
– seven barrels produced by winemaker Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp. The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. This vineyard lies at 700 m above sea-level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening of this cultivar. Pinot noir clones 115, 667 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.
Vintage 2020:
A year with great ripening conditions for this specific location. Winds during set, led to extremely tiny berries and thus the resulting wine has a high grape to juice ratio. There is great intensity without weight. The tannin is medium grain and is supported by a lovely fresh acidity, which brings the desired tension.
Winemaking:
Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal, minimum of 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older)
Descriptors of the nose:
Red cherry, forest bramble, rose hip, earthy aromatics, cocoa, typical and unique orange rind character imparted by the vineyard site
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
Red and black cherry fruit, umami, roasted chestnuts, velvety medium grained tannins, balanced acidity and the wine will gather further complexity with age. Drink: 2021 – 2031
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin, French cuisine, North Indian mild curries, Asian-style dishes, fish, red meat stews, poultry and especially duck
Alcohol: 14,1%
​
Ratings:
​
90/100, Neal Martin
91/100, Falstaff International
91/100, Christian Eedes
93/100, Tim Atkin MW
93/100, Greg Sherwood MW
Nom Pinot noir 2019
– five barrels produced by winemaker Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp
The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. This vineyard lies at 700 m above sea-level and is surrounded by tall mountains, making for a unique terroir ideal for the optimal ripening of this cultivar. Pinot noir clones 115, 667 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.
Vintage 2019:
This was another dry vintage in the Cape, leading to tiny grapes and wines with a high grape to juice ratio
+intensity of fruit and tannin +integrated acidity
Winemaking:
Grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, grapes are cold-soaked, fermentation is spontaneous, post-fermentation maceration is complete when the tannins are optimal, minimum of 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older)
Descriptors of the nose:
Red and black cherry, rose hip, earthy savoury aromatics, cocoa, typical and unique orange rind character imparted by the vineyard site
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
Red and black cherry fruit, hibiscus, umami, roasted chestnuts, velvety tannins, balanced acidity
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where
gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin, French cuisine, North Indian mild curries, Asian-style dishes, fish, red meat stews, poultry and especially duck
Drink: 2020 – 2030
Alcohol: 13,5%
​
Ratings:
​
93/100, David Swingler (Platter’s)
94/100, Tim Atkin
Nom Pinot noir 2018
– seven barrels produced by Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp -
The soil is shale origin with a significant portion of granite in the topsoil and clay throughout. Pinot noir clone 115 & 777. The vineyard was planted in 2008.
Vintage 2018:
2018 was a dry vintage in the Cape, leading to tiny grapes and wines with a high grape to juice ratio, concentration and intensity are key words
+length, +intensity of fruit and tannin, +integrated acidity
Descriptors of the nose:
Orange rind, toasted cocoa bean, rose hip/ cherry/ savoury
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
Black cherry fruit/ hibiscus/ “garrigue”/ umami / roasted chestnuts, velvety, firm tannins and balanced acidity
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where
gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
If you like - Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin/ French cuisine/ white meat/ fish/ red meat stews/ North Indian mild curries/ poultry and especially duck
Alcohol: 13,5%
​
Ratings:
​
94/100, Tim Atkin
16,5/20 Jancis Robinson
Nom Pinot noir 2017
– seven barrels produced by Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp -
The soil is granite with a significant portion of clay.
Vintage 2017:
2017 was a dry vintage in the Cape, great grape quality with more aromatics than 2016
+depth of flavour, +intensity, +structure
Descriptors of the nose:
Orange rind, rose hip/ cherry/ plum/ touch of savour
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
red cherry fruit/ hibiscus/ nutmeg spice/ hints of moist mushrooms/ “garrigue”
velvety, firm tannins
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where
gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
If you like - Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin and in general French cuisine/ white meat fish/ red meat stews/ North Indian mild curries/ poultry and especially duck
Alcohol: 14,5%
​
Ratings:
​
91/100, Christian Eedes
92/100, Tim Atkin
91/100, Wine Enthusiast
Nom Pinot noir 2016
– five barrels produced by Jessica Saurwein
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp, South Africa. The soils parent material is granite with a good portion of clay; Vineyards planted in 2008 and Pinot clone is 115.
Winemaking:
Cold soak, Spontaneous fermentation and barrel aging for 11 months in French oak, of which 20% is new.
Vintage 2016:
2016 offered generous and great quality fruit with more tannin compared to 2015. +elegance, +flavour, +mouth-feel
Descriptors of the nose:
orange rind/ strawberry and red berries/ lavender/ touch of savour
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
red cherry fruit, nutmeg spice/ hints of fresh moist forest floor/ “garrigue”/ velvet gloves / fine, firm tannins
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin/ white meat fish/ red meat stews/ North Indian curries/ duck a l’orange
Alcohol: 13,5%
​
Ratings:
​
90/100, Christian Eedes
92/100, Greg Sherwood
90/100, Tim Atkin
90/100, Neal Martin
93/100, Oz Clarke
92/100, Sarah Jane
Nom Pinot noir 2015
(First Vintage)
– three barrels produced by Jessica Saurwein
​
Grape origin:
Kaaimansgat Vineyard, Elandskloof Valley, Villiersdorp -
The soils parent material is granite with a good portion of clay.
Vintage 2015:
2015 is the dream-come-true vintage in SA
+elegance, +flavour, +mouth-feel
Descriptors of the nose:
hazelnuts/ grapefruit/ speculaas/ orange rind/ strawberry and blueberry/ lavender
Descriptors of the flavour & palate:
red cherry fruit, nutmeg spice/ hints of fresh moist forest floor/ “garrigue”/ velvet gloves/ dark chocolate-dipped orange peel /silky fine, firm tannins
​
The story:
Nom stands for nombulelo (gratitude in “Xhosa”) and Nomkhubulwane (a forgotten African goddess of agriculture). Situated at 700m altitude, the vineyard is a place where
gratitude is instilled and tales appear.
Ideal Cuisine:
Baked goats cheese crotin/ white meat fish/ red meat stews/ North Indian curries/
duck a l’orange
Alcohol: 13,5%
​
Ratings:
​
92/100, Neal Martin
