Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Seadragon Pinot Noir 2021
Vineyards
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Winemaking and Maturation
The bunches are sorted and destemmed. No sulphur is used in the winemaking until after malolactic fermentation. This parcel also contains a discretionary percentage (varying from 30-40%) of whole bunches. Cold maceration ensues for 6 to 7 days at 8 to 10°C. The wine spends approximately 25 days on the skins before pressing. After pressing, it is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in barrel on its lees.
Matured for 11 months in barrique (228L) barrels produced in Burgundy and custom made for this vineyard. New oak comprises 22%. The wine is racked to larger, older puncheon (500L) barrels for another 5 months of élevage. No fining or filtration, and a sulphur adjustment before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Seadragon’s fine fruits and perfumes are deep and profound. Pure and vivid red fruit embroidered with fresh violet and wilted rose petals, accentuated by the base tones of dark fruit and earthiness. The thick velvet fruit and texture in the mouth is framed with fine, brittle tannin that reaches long into the finish.
