Whalehaven Earthscape Reserve Pinot Noir 2020

Top-end wines previously went under the “Conservation Coast” label but now are “Reserve”. Grapes for the Earthscape Pinot Noir 2022 are sourced from Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, winemaking involving destemming before inoculation, maturation lasting some 10 months in barrel, 30% new.

The nose shows raspberry and strawberry and musk plus darker notes of meat stock, earth and spice. The palate has good fruit weight (alcohol is 14%) and bright acidity, the tannins grippy, giving the wine a slight rustic edge. It is, however, not dull or dreary as local Pinot often can be…

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Companion wine Seascape Reserve Chardonnay 2020 rated 89 in the category report sponsored by Prescient earlier this year – see here. Both wines are priced at R405 a bottle.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.