2022 Crystallum Mabalel Pinot Noir

96 pts
Crystallum |Walker Bay |Pinot Noir
Elegant yet complex Pinot Noir from this highly acclaimed specialist producer of Burgundian varieties.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
2 Reviews

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Sale price$90.00
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Description

Established in 2007, Crystallum is a family-run winery known for its commitment to producing top-tier Burgundian varietals.

The Crystallum 'Mabalel' Pinot Noir, named after a poem by Eugene Marais, is sourced from the high-altitude Kaaimansgat farm. Situated at 700 meters and surrounded by dramatic mountains, this vineyard's cool climate lends itself to growing powerful yet fresh Pinot Noir grapes.

In 2022, the cool vintage led Peter-Allan Finlayson to opt for destemming all the fruit, resulting in a pure expression of the vineyard. Fermentation with native yeasts and 11 months in 20% new oak barrels add texture and spice.

The nose is savoury and brooding, with notes of star anise, mushroom, soy, and rose. The palate is dense and powerful, with fruit flavors of damson, redcurrant, and plum, and earthy undertones of rhubarb, tomato leaf, and molasses. The finish is dry, with a lightly spicy grip and a touch of minerality.

Elegant yet complex Pinot Noir from this highly acclaimed specialist producer of Burgundian varieties.

96 points - "The 2022 vintage was the coolest in Elandskloof since 2014, so Peter-Allan Finlayson decided to use no whole bunches on Mabalel. Spicy and savoury, with wafts of garrigue and fynbos, this is focused, chiselled and refined, with scented 20% new oak, lots of acidity and minerality and flavours of orange zest and summer berries. 2025-32." - Tim Atkin MW

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 2 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
2 reviews
  • TN
    Terry N.
    Verified Buyer
    7 months ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    must buy!

    a sexy pinot

  • TN
    Terry N.
    Verified Buyer
    7 months ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    must try!

    a sexy pinot

Mabalel is named after a poem by the legendary South African polymath Eugene Marais, which tells the story of a local chieftain’s daughter of the same name who was ambushed while fetching water from the Limpopo river by the crocodile, Lalele. The vineyard is planted on ‘Kaaimansgat’ farm - meaning Crocodile’s lair - and a river flows past the vineyard. The site is 700m high and surrounded by dramatic mountains, with peaks that are are often snow-capped in winter.

A savoury and brooding vintage, the nose showing star anise, mushroom, soy and rose. Density of fruit on the palate from damson, redcurrant and plum, as well as an earthiness and depth from rhubarb, tomato leaf and molasses. The finish is dry with a lightly spicy grip.

Vinification:

Fermented using only native yeasts and this year with all fruit destemmed. The total time in tank was 29 days with a 14 day post-fermentation maceration. The wine was then transferred to barrel (20% new) where it remained for 11 months before bottling.

Technical Analysis:

pH 3.71
alc% 13.40
Total acidity 4.9 g/l
Total sulphites 94 mg/l
Residual sugar 1.8 g/l

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country South Africa
Region Walker Bay
Feature High Score
Critic Score 96
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2022
Closure Cork

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