Wine Composition
100% Pinot Noir
Winemakers Comments
Whether a mystical pagan goddess of feminine power such as Isis, or the popular Catholic of the Virgin Mary with a darker complexion as reflected in artwork around the world, the Black Madonna or Black Virgin is an apt name for our Pinot Noir. This wine shows cool climate poise and elegance with an earthy and bright fruit character.This vintage expresses the typical earthy and savoury aroma of this fine Burgundy variety and is backed by a red fruit character. A greater selection clones and blocks during picking and older elements in the blend shows a darker and more textured style in bottle from previous vintages.
Awards
Tim Atkin | 92 points
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.45%
TA
6.27 g/l
pH
3.37
RS
1.4 g/l
Climate / Vineyard Technique
These Walker Bay vineyards of Hemel en Aarde Ridge are situated within close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The maritime climate being more “temperate” in style, where parallel mountain ranges channel the southerly sea breezes through the appellation during the summer. These winds in turn bring regular sea mists and overcast conditions to the valley and with it more even temperatures. The average temperature is 19° C and rainfall, approximately, 750mm per year.
All grapes were harvested by hand in cool early morning temperatures.
The specific vineyard is composed of clone 115 and 777, but only the 115 was used for this wine in 2014. The highest altitude bearing Pinot block on the farm is used which allows slow ripening, building a wine with texture without being under pressure for fast sugar accumulation.
Cellar Techniques
After overnight cold storage they were sorted, destemmed and gently crushed into red ferment tanks. Cold maceration occurred for an average of 3 days until spontaneous fermenation took place. The wine was then fermented under controlled temperatures until dry. The skins were then lightly pressed and the wine racked into a selection of French Oak barrels for 9 months ageing and maturation. Final blending occurred one month prior to bottling and the wine was allowed to develop further in bottle prior to release.
Winemaker
Name - Gerhard Smith
Winery
La Vierge, French for 'The Virgin', is nestled in the folds of the breathtaking Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (Heaven and Earth) close to Hermanus. Our lovingly tended vineyards, situated in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, are characterized by long cool summers influenced by the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean.
Using sketches and drawings by renowned British artist, Sir Michael Adams who works and lives in the Seychelles, a design language was created that reflects the rich symbolism associated with the Hemel-en-Aarde area. Our crest represents Adam and Eve pondering the Serpent and Apple.
The unspoilt beauty and provenance of our virgin terroir are reflected in the Garden of Eden theme of our branding, suggesting a lush verdant paradise with all the purity, simplicity, innocence and temptation of life's beginnings.
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