Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir 2023

Region and Vineyards

The Peter Max Pinot Noir is produced from several vineyards located in the Hemel-en-Aarde area of Walker Bay, South Africa, as well as a high-altitude inland site. Hemel-en-Aarde is known for its cool, maritime climate, benefiting from the cooling breezes of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. These conditions slow the grape ripening process, allowing the development of concentrated flavors and fresh, balanced acidity. The region's natural characteristics create ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir, preserving the vibrancy of the fruit while allowing for elegant texture.

In addition to the coastal vineyards, a high-altitude vineyard site brings an extra dimension to the wine. At these elevations, cooler temperatures during the growing season further slow down ripening, enhancing the structure and finesse of the Pinot Noir. The combination of fruit from both coastal and highland regions ensures the Peter Max Pinot Noir is both fruit-driven and refined, balancing brightness and complexity.

Winemaking

The Peter Max Pinot Noir is made using a mix of traditional and modern winemaking techniques, with a focus on preserving the natural expression of the fruit. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted, with approximately 50% destemmed while the other half is left as whole clusters. This combination allows for added complexity and tannic structure while maintaining the wine’s freshness and fruit purity. After a cold soak, the must is slowly warmed up to begin natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, keeping extraction to a minimum for a delicate, nuanced wine.

Following fermentation, the wine undergoes a gentle extended maceration for four weeks to enhance depth and tannic structure. The wine is then aged for nine months in French oak barrels, with a mix of 228-litre and 500-litre barrels, using only lightly toasted oak to avoid overpowering the fruit. The result is a wine that is finely structured, with subtle oak integration, allowing the bright fruit and floral character of the Pinot Noir to shine through.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright ruby red with a translucent core.
• Aroma: Aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and floral notes of rose and lavender rise from the glass, showcasing a fresh and fragrant bouquet.
• Palate: The palate is dense and focused, with fine, grippy tannins providing structure. Flavors of red fruit are balanced by a bright acidity, giving the wine a lively yet refined character.

Did you know?

The Peter Max Pinot Noir gets its name from the first names of the original growers who supplied fruit for the wine’s inaugural vintage. Over time, the vineyard sources have expanded to include both coastal and high-altitude sites, which contribute to the wine’s signature balance of fresh acidity and rich fruit concentration.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Duck à l'orange: The wine’s red fruit notes complement the citrus flavors in the dish, while the tannins cut through the richness of the duck.
• Herb-crusted lamb chops: The herbaceous flavors in the lamb echo the floral and earthy notes of the wine, while the bright acidity balances the lamb's richness.
• Roasted beet and goat cheese salad: The wine’s acidity and bright fruit contrast with the sweetness of the beets and the creamy tang of the goat cheese.
• Wild mushroom risotto: The earthiness of the mushrooms harmonizes with the floral notes and depth of the Pinot Noir, making for a perfect pairing.

History of Crystallum Estate

Crystallum was founded in 2007 by brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson, who hail from a family deeply rooted in the South African wine industry. Their father, Peter Finlayson, was a pioneer in the production of cool-climate wines in South Africa, particularly at Bouchard Finlayson, where he established a reputation for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Following in their father’s footsteps, Peter-Allan and Andrew ventured into winemaking after university, sourcing fruit from some of the most prestigious vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

From humble beginnings, Crystallum quickly gained recognition for producing world-class wines. Peter-Allan Finlayson, who has since taken on the role of head winemaker, has been instrumental in evolving the winery’s style. His focus has always been on minimal intervention and allowing the vineyard’s natural character to shine through in every bottle. Today, Crystallum is one of South Africa’s most highly regarded boutique wineries, exporting its wines to wine lovers and collectors around the world.

Region and Vineyards

Crystallum’s wines are primarily sourced from the Hemel-en-Aarde region, a part of South Africa’s Cape South Coast that is renowned for its cool, maritime climate. This region is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which moderates the temperature and extends the grape ripening period.

The vineyards are located on a mix of clay, shale, and quartz soils, each of which contributes to the complexity and structure of the wines. The Clay Shales vineyard, a single-vineyard site used for one of Crystallum’s most famous Chardonnays, sits at an altitude of 300 meters, benefiting from cooling sea breezes that preserve the freshness and natural acidity in the grapes. The careful selection of vineyard sites ensures that Crystallum’s wines are both expressive of their terroir and structured for ageing.

Wine Range

Crystallum is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery produces several single-vineyard wines, each showcasing the unique characteristics of their respective sites. Among their standout wines are:

• Clay Shales Chardonnay: A single-vineyard Chardonnay known for its rich texture and vibrant acidity, reflecting the influence of the clay and shale soils in which the vines are grown.
• Cuvée Cinéma Pinot Noir: Sourced from a high-altitude vineyard, this Pinot Noir is renowned for its bright red fruit, savory complexity, and fine tannic structure.
• Bona Fide Pinot Noir: A delicate, refined Pinot Noir with savory and earthy notes, balanced by bright fruit and a persistent finish.
• Peter Max Pinot Noir: A vibrant and fruit-driven wine with a fine balance between acidity and tannin, representing the cool-climate style of the Hemel-en-Aarde region.

All Crystallum wines are fermented using indigenous yeasts and aged in French oak barrels, with a focus on subtle oak influence to allow the natural fruit expression to shine through.

Did you know?

Crystallum’s winemaker, Peter-Allan Finlayson, is part of one of South Africa’s most illustrious wine families. His father, Peter Finlayson, was the first winemaker in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, making him a trailblazer in the production of cool-climate wines in South Africa. Peter-Allan and Andrew’s decision to follow in their father’s footsteps while carving their own identity with Crystallum has been widely praised in the wine world.