Cloud Haven Pinot Noir

100% Pinot Noir

W.O. Elgin

HARVEST The 2023 Vintage proved to be one of the most challenging of recent history. Many have described it as a Year of two harvests; before the rain and after the rain. Though we expect cooler temperatures and higher rainfall than most other wine-producing regions, the 2023 harvest was extremely challenging. The month of March (which is traditionally the busiest period during harvest) saw over 600mls of rain, falling constantly over a three-week period. The harvest literally stopped for an entire month as we waited for the later-ripening varietals to assimilate the water and ripen, before the onslaught of fungal pressure

V I N I F I C A T I O N This younger block of Pinot Noir vines was harvested in mid-February, and the whole-bunches (stems and all) were loaded into an open-top, stainless-steel fermenting tank, chilled to 10°C. The last few crates of Pinot Noir were destemmed and crushed, then poured over the top of the whole-bunches. Over the subsequent days of stomping the bunches (to release a little more juice), we achieved a hybrid-alcoholic/carbonic fermentation over 17 days. What is fascinating with this type of carbonic fermentation is that instead of having one, homogenous fermentation of juice in contact with the skins, each individual berry has its own micro-fermentation going on inside of each individual grape – amazing; hundreds of thousands of micro-fermentations in one tank. This style of wine-making is very common in the Beaujolais region of France (where they use Gamay instead of Pinot Noir) and fermenting inside the grape tends to result in a lighter, fresher and fruitier style of wine. Less colour and tannins are extracted from the skins than with a traditional alcoholic fermentation, but in this case, we have incorporated the best of both worlds, which has resulted in this light and easy drinking soft red.

THE WINE The process has resulted in a fun, light-hearted, supple wine. Delicate, red berry fruit with a balanced mid-palate that gives way to a juicy, textured finish. Its lighter colour hints at the freshness of the wine which is best enjoyed slightly chilled.

FOOD Though this wine is perfectly enjoyable as an aperitif, it also matches well with a magnitude of dishes, Tapas in particular. Melon and Parma Ham is a personal preference (with a generous twist of black pepper), smoked salmon and cream cheese may be a not-too-distant second place. To be enjoyed alone or, accompanied… and the same is true for the wine!

Alcohol: 13% • Total acid: 4.4 • Residual sugar: 1.6 • pH: 3.67