The new Saurwein Pinot Noirs from vintage 2021 are released and available.
They are both single vineyard wines, but from very different terroirs. The ‘Om‘ is from a vineyard (colloquially called Kaaimansgat after the Bouchard Finlayson chardonnay from the same area) high up in Elandskloof WO behind Franschhoek, near Villiersdorp. The ‘Nom‘ is from a vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO (the highest of the H&A wards). It is fascinating to taste the vast differences that site, climate and soil make between the two wines. They are treated the same way in the winery, so the only difference is location.
These 2021s are classic examples of Pinot Noir. Jessica’s considered, careful and fastidious approach at every stage and process of winemaking is evident in the purity, brightness and intensity in both of the wines. These are wines of high class and complexity. She seems to make better wine every year.
"If you don’t know Jessica Saurwein and her delicious fine wines, let me introduce you to ex-model, super mum and more latterly a high-flying winemaker with an incredibly deft touch"
– Greg Sherwood MW
“Jessica Saurwein is getting rave reviews for her small-production Pinots. They are justified.”
― Jamie Goode
The wines
Saurwein 'Om' Pinot Noir 2021, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO
‘Om’ symbolises the concept of universal creation. This word is also synonymous with peace. The vineyard is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge region (Heaven and Earth), a beautiful and peaceful place close to my heart. May this wine carry forward the peace that its place of creation inspires.
This dryland vineyard is situated just 12 km from the sea and lies at 300 m above sea-level. The soils are granite origin with a significant portion of clay. Pinot noir clones are 115 and 667. The vineyard was planted in 2006.
It was a late vintage, with great ripening conditions and very healthy fruit. The wine was picked in two batches from two vineyard sites just 100 meters from each other. The resultant wine from these two sites is energetic, concentrated and has a great fresh acidity and beautiful ageing potential.
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 matured for 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).
Christian Eedes: Alluring aromatics of red cherry and wild strawberry plus hints of fynbos, cured meat and white pepper. Good fruit expression, well integrated acidity and fine tannins – relatively low in alcohol (13.3%) but not entirely without weight or texture, the finish gently savoury. Understated and slow to reveal itself. 94/100
Saurwein 'Nom' Pinot Noir 2021, Elandskloof WO
‘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.
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.
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.
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 matured for 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).
Christian Eedes: Red and black cherry, some flinty reduction and floral perfume on the nose while the palate possesses a great core of fruit, bright acidity and pleasantly firm tannins. More concentrated and forceful than Om but perhaps more obvious, too. 94/100.
Saurwein 2021 Pinot Noirs
SAURWEIN WINES
New Vintage 2021 Pinot Noirs
The new Saurwein Pinot Noirs from vintage 2021 are released and available.
They are both single vineyard wines, but from very different terroirs. The ‘Om‘ is from a vineyard (colloquially called Kaaimansgat after the Bouchard Finlayson chardonnay from the same area) high up in Elandskloof WO behind Franschhoek, near Villiersdorp. The ‘Nom‘ is from a vineyard in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO (the highest of the H&A wards). It is fascinating to taste the vast differences that site, climate and soil make between the two wines. They are treated the same way in the winery, so the only difference is location.
These 2021s are classic examples of Pinot Noir. Jessica’s considered, careful and fastidious approach at every stage and process of winemaking is evident in the purity, brightness and intensity in both of the wines. These are wines of high class and complexity. She seems to make better wine every year.
"If you don’t know Jessica Saurwein and her delicious fine wines, let me introduce you to ex-model, super mum and more latterly a high-flying winemaker with an incredibly deft touch"
– Greg Sherwood MW
“Jessica Saurwein is getting rave reviews for her small-production Pinots. They are justified.”
― Jamie Goode
The wines
Saurwein 'Om' Pinot Noir 2021, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO
‘Om’ symbolises the concept of universal creation. This word is also synonymous with peace. The vineyard is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge region (Heaven and Earth), a beautiful and peaceful place close to my heart. May this wine carry forward the peace that its place of creation inspires.
This dryland vineyard is situated just 12 km from the sea and lies at 300 m above sea-level. The soils are granite origin with a significant portion of clay. Pinot noir clones are 115 and 667. The vineyard was planted in 2006.
It was a late vintage, with great ripening conditions and very healthy fruit. The wine was picked in two batches from two vineyard sites just 100 meters from each other. The resultant wine from these two sites is energetic, concentrated and has a great fresh acidity and beautiful ageing potential.
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 matured for 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).
Christian Eedes: Alluring aromatics of red cherry and wild strawberry plus hints of fynbos, cured meat and white pepper. Good fruit expression, well integrated acidity and fine tannins – relatively low in alcohol (13.3%) but not entirely without weight or texture, the finish gently savoury. Understated and slow to reveal itself. 94/100
Saurwein 'Nom' Pinot Noir 2021, Elandskloof WO
‘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.
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.
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.
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 matured for 10 months in 228 liter French oak barrels (new and older).
Christian Eedes: Red and black cherry, some flinty reduction and floral perfume on the nose while the palate possesses a great core of fruit, bright acidity and pleasantly firm tannins. More concentrated and forceful than Om but perhaps more obvious, too. 94/100.
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Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.