2021 Restless River Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Bursting with just-ripe, succulent, tart cherry essence, the 2021 Le Luc erupts with dusty red flowers and elegant potpourri spices. Medium-bodied and beautifully focused, the palate is layered and complex with a crystalline purity of crunchy red fruits before displaying seductive oak spices that round out the mid-palate before gliding to a graceful finish with a lingering tannic edge. It's an incredibly food-friendly wine that has me returning for more. Just over 5,500 bottles were produced after the wine spent a year in 30% new French oak barrels, followed by 18 months in the bottle. Bravo!
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Le Luc comes from a single vineyard picked several times. It underwent a triple sorting and includes 30% whole bunches, matured in 30% new oak. It is refined and pure on the nose: brambly black fruit, white pepper and a very subtle garrigue/lavender aroma. The palate is soft on the entry. Good weight, rounded in style, with a slight reduction on the strangely almost Syrah-like finish. Moderate length. Give it a year in bottle.
Wild and earthy nose of dried herbs, orange peel, sour cherries and mushrooms. Touch of cola. Medium-bodied, supple and juicy, with a beautiful balance of freshness and ripeness. Drink now or hold.
100% Pinot Noir. Burgundy oak barrels, 228-litre, 70% average 3rd fill, 30% new. 12 months in barrel, sur lie, then 3 months in stainless tank, followed by 18 months in bottle. Vines planted on granite in Le Luc vineyard (planted 2013). Bright crimson. Firm, ambitious nose. More burgundian than most South African Pinots! Very subtle with violet notes and it may even develop mushroom notes. Really polished, fine tannins. Quite long. Ideally wait until next year. (JR)