MALABEL PINOT NOIR

Mabalel Pinot Noir

Mabalel is named after a poem by the legendary South African polymath Eugene Marais, which tells the story of a local chieftain’s daughter of the same name who was ambushed while fetching water from the Limpopo river by the crocodile, Lalele. The vineyard is planted on ‘Kaaimansgat’ farm - meaning Crocodile’s lair - and a river flows past the vineyard. The site is 700m high and surrounded by dramatic mountains, with peaks that are are often snow-capped in winter.

Latest release (2022)

A vibrant, ethereal expression of the elevated site, with trademark orange peel, soy and rhubarb aromas leading the way. Red plums and candied raspberries combine with liquorice and sage on the palate, while pine green, sappy tannins and a zippy acidity elongate the finish. Drinkable early but time in bottle will only amplify its charms.

Vinification

Fermented using only native yeasts and this year with all fruit destemmed. The total time in tank was 29 days with a 14 day post-fermentation maceration. The wine was then transferred to barrel (20% new) where it remained for 11 months before bottling.

Technical Analysis