Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Windansea Pinot Noir 2021

On the eve of Cape Wine 2022, Hemel-en-Aarde producers Newton Johnson Family Vineyards, Restless River and Storm Wines banded together under the banner of The Singles Club, defined as “a collective of likeminded friends passionate about single vineyards”, to show some of their wines against international counterparts.

And so, for instance, one flight of Pinot Noir featuring Bass Philip Premium 2018, Storm Vrede 2015 and Bruno Clair Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru 2013 with the Storm impressing all and sundry (tasting blind, I rated it 96/100 on the night).

Next a flight featuring Newton Johnson Windansea 2021, Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers 1er Cru 2015 and Restless River Le Luc 2019. Here the Burgundy was compromised by spoilage yeast Brettanomyces but the two local wines again showed very well. I rated the Restless River 95 points, the same as I did on release in 2020 – see here. The Windansea is a new release and the only local wine I had not yet tasted.

Grapes from a high-lying, north-facing vineyard planted in 2005 to clones 115 (50%), 113 (33%) and 777 (15%) on granite, winemaking involved partial whole-bunch fermentation. On the nose, red and black cherry, rose, herbs and some vanilla while the palate displays a dense core of fruit with bright acidity and very well managed tannins. Polished in the best sense.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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