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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
2022 Pinot Noir, Baleia Wines Wine Republic

2022 Pinot Noir, Baleia Wines

Western Cape, South Africa

Situated on the lime-rich soils on the cliff banks of the Duivenhoks River, Baleia is a unique terroir standing alone on this beautiful district of the Cape South Coast. A stone’s throw away from Sebastian’s Bay and the towns of Vermaklikheid and Stilbaai.

Bright, distinctive and wonderfully expressive, this coastal Pinot Noir opens with ripe strawberry, sour cherry and redcurrant, layered with cedar leaf, dried herbs and gentle spice. A delicate note of Turkish delight brings an intriguing floral sweetness to the nose without making the wine feel heavy.

Light to medium-bodied, with vibrant red fruit framed by supple tannins and a refreshing mineral edge. Its modest alcohol and lively acidity give the wine an elegant, energetic feel, while subtle oak provides shape and savoury complexity. Long, harmonious and unmistakably individual, this is particularly enjoyable served slightly chilled.

For when: The food calls for a red with freshness, character and a slightly adventurous streak.

Pairs with: Grilled salmon, roast duck, tandoori chicken, seared tuna, mushroom risotto, warm lentil salad or chargrilled vegetables.

The Pinot Noir vines grow in hard, calcium-rich limestone soils on South Africa’s remote Cape South Coast. Strong winds and maritime influences create challenging conditions, but also produce fruit with concentration, freshness and a distinctive mineral character. The 2022 growing season brought generous winter rain followed by a drier flowering and ripening period, allowing the fruit to mature evenly.

Whats in the bottle
100% Pinot Noir

£17.50 - £17.50
£17.50
£17.50 - £17.50
£17.50
Availability:
In stock

Established in 2009 by the Joubert family, their winemaking style is inspired by the Mediterranean climate. Their ethos is to create wines that reflect the unique terroir and elements of their remarkable location. In fact, Baleia is the only winery on the Lower Duiwenhoks River in Vermaaklikheid. `Baleia` is Portuguese for `whale` and the striking labels are inspired by St. Sebastien Bay, the ‘Whale Nursery of South Africa’.

The true essence of the Baleia property lies in the soil, which consists largely of pure, solid limestone with a very high mineral content. This aspect, along with their close proximity to the sea, creates a particular mouthfeel to the wines, reminiscent of chalky minerality and maritime salinity. At Baleia, the winemaking cycle begins with consistent attention to detail in the vineyards. They believe healthy soil promotes healthy roots and vine wellbeing, which produce beautifully balanced fruit. This soil is also home to the very rare Canca fynbos, which is endemic to the South Coast and one of very few fynbos species to flourish in the alkaline environment of limestone outcrops.

Their philosophy is all about portraying the characteristic aspect of the site; making wines that are true to their terroir and can be identified by their very specific mineral and maritime character in a blind tasting. These inherent qualities are allowed to take centre stage in the wines through minimal intervention in the cellar, to ensure that they do not cloud the natural beauty. In their own words, `when you savour a glass of Baleia, you’ll known the circle is complete.`

Inoculated with selected yeast strains from the Burgundy, France. Primary fermentation in open fermenters with manual punch downs at 22-28 °C. After 8 days skin contact; pressed directly to Foudre, 3rd fill, and 1 new 300L French oak barrel where malolactic fermentation completed naturally. Matured for 10 months in French oak.