RADFORD DALE FREEDOM PINOT NOIR

In September 1994, Alex Dale arrived in South Africa from Burgundy, where he grew-up. In South Africa, Alex discovered the freedom to express his winemaking vision without the restrictive regulations of the EU and Burgundy, embracing the untamed beauty and geology of the Cape’s vineyards. In the spirit of an exciting, newly-democratic South Africa, this burst of liberty sowed the seed for the creation of Radford Dale’s passionately crafted Freedom Pinot Noir. This vintage marks our 16th consecutive vintage of Pinot Noir from Elgin. The 2022 vintage, however, marks the maiden release from our own Estate in Elgin.

WINEMAKING
The grapes were all hand-picked at dawn to capture freshness and acidity while retainingelegance in the flavour expression. The bunches were brought into our Organic cellar forhand-sorting. Whole berry fermentation took place in open top fermenters, resulting in awonderfully perfumed fruit expression. By using only our hands to punch down the caps,only the finest tannin was extracted during the 15 day maceration. After fermentation, theskins were then basket-pressed and the wine transferred directly to a selection of mainly 3rdand 4th fill barrels. Only 10% new barrels were used, in support of the lovely fruitconcentration achieved in the vineyard. The maturation of the wine, on the lees, lasted foralmost 10 months before we assembled the barrels and then bottled a month later, in January2023.
WINEMAKERS NOTES
This wine offers a generous and pure expression of the varietal, showcasing an elegantinterplay of red and purple fruit. Notes of wild strawberries, blackberries and spicedmulberries add depth, with forest undergrowth and graphite adding to the complexity andintrigue.The fine-grained tannins offer a sense of gravitas to the overall structure.
TECHNICAL BITS
Varietal Pinot Noir
Appellation Elgin, South Africa
Analysis Alcohol 13.5%vol
Total acidity 5. 1g/L
pH 3.57
Residual sugar 2.0g/L

Shipping & Return Information

Bottle depicted in photo may not be exactly what you receive.