La Brune new releases

Nico Grobler of La Brune in Elgin describes the 2024 vintage as a “welcome return” to less extreme weather. Where 2023 proved challenging due to heavy rainfall during harvest, 2024 was altogether more uneventful. “To the extent that Elgin experiences heatwaves, there were some warm spells in January,” he notes, “which have lent a touch of richness to the wines.” Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

The Valley Pinot Noir 2024
Price: R250
From five clones planted across eight sites. 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for nine months in 228-, 300- and 500-litre barrels, 5% new. A particularly expressive nose with notes of black cherry, violets, musk and subtle herbs. The palate strikes a lovely balance – neither too lean nor overly weighty – with pure, vibrant fruit and invigorating, lemon-like acidity leading to a bone-dry finish. Utterly charming. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

The Valley Chardonnay 2024
Price: R225
Grapes from four sites. Matured for seven months in 228- and 500-litre barrels, 5% new. Still very primary on the nose with notes of pear, white peach, citrus and some gentle herbal lift. The palate shows pure fruit, zesty acidity and a pithy finish – taut but not too light or severe. Somewhat straightforward now but should become more interesting with time in bottle. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Pinot Noir 2024
Price: R640
Grapes from own high-density plantings, 60% clone 115 and 40% 113. 45% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for nine months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. The nose is wonderfully intricate with notes of red berries, rose, fresh herb and traces of earth and spice but nothing too dark or brooding. The palate is crystalline – excellent fruit purity, racy acidity and extremely fine, powdery tannins. A gorgeous wine – delicate, yes, but by no means ephemeral. It lingers with grace. Alc: 13.8%.

CE’s: 96/100.

Chardonnay 2024
Price: R610
Grapes from Lothian, 60% CY548 and 40% CY95. Matured for nine months in 228-litre barrels, 25% new. Classic aromatics of lemon, a touch of flinty reduction, oatmeal and little oak spice. The palate possesses both depth and breadth – powerful and textured without tipping into opulence, the finish bone dry. A wine of real gravitas, still somewhat unresolved, the oak requiring a little more time to fully integrate. Alc: 13.3%

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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