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Smuggler's Boot Pinot Noir
Richard Kershaw Wines
South Africa - Western Cape - Cape South Coast - Elgin

The name derives from the time of trade embargoes in South Africa when growers & winemakers smuggled grapevine material into the country by hiding the cuttings in Wellington boots. The Smuggler’s Boot range celebrates that ingenuity.

Attractive strawberry, savory and star anise spice linger on the nose. Juicy and sumptuous on the mid palate with breadth of flavor offset by a nimbleness of fresh acidity, friable tannins and sinuous mouthfeel, this Pinot unwraps to earthy, fennel, chocolate and a hint of incense to a long supple finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Cape South Coast - Elgin
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Pinot Noir made from French clones PN667, PN115 and PN113
Age of vines
Average 30 years
Vinification
Handpicked grapes were first bunch sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed and the destemmed berries sorted to remove jacks and substandard berries. After a 3-day maceration in 500kg open-topped fermenters, the uncrushed grapes began a spontaneous fermentation. A gentle pigeage program was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 10-16 days.
The free-run wine was racked to a combination of 50% French oak barrels (10% new) and 50% breathable plastic eggs with the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic then proceeded followed by a light sulphuring after which the wine was racked off Malolactic lees and returned to cleaned barrels for an 11-month maturation. No finings, simply racked and light filtration prior to bottling.
Production
200 (9-liter cases)
Pairings

Richard Kershaw’s personal suggestions for dishes include charcuterie, its salt and fat being complemented by the delicate spicy notes and fruit; Pork loin with honey, pepper, and lemon-zest glaze; Carpaccio; duck cassoulet; ovenroasted monkfish with garlic mashed potatoes; seared tuna; wild mushroom risotto; a simple beet salad with some hazelnuts and ricotta cheese; a slice of Brie or Gorgonzola dolce.

Reviews and News

2020 Smuggler's Boot Pinot Noir - 95 PTS - TA

2020 Smuggler's Boot Pinot Noir - 95 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"This is a well-priced, nicely balanced Pinot Noir from Richard Kershaw that combines raw material from Elgin and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Sappy, juicy and refreshing, with scented 20% new oak, pomegranate and wild strawberry fruit and a nip of tannin. 2022-27"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa Report 2022), 95 pts

  

 

2016 Smuggler's Boot Pinot Noir - 90+ PTS - MOSAIC TOP 5

2016 Smuggler's Boot Pinot Noir - 90+ PTS - MOSAIC TOP 5

mosaic pinot noir 90

2020 MOSAIC TOP 5 PINOT NOIR AWARDS

"Top Five Trust organises the annual Mosaic Top 5 Pinot Noir Wine Awards. The awards identify five South African Pinot Noir red wines to serve as a benchmark for the development of distinctive South African Pinot Noir red wines and to illustrate the quality of South African Pinot Noir red wines to the world.
Pinot Noir is a demanding variety to cultivate and transform into wine, with a temperament that has earned the grape its ‘heartbreak grape’ moniker. The Top Five Trust, together with our generous sponsor, Mosaic Family Office, is proud to recognise and support the climate, people, soil and the multitude of other factors that go into making the best Pinot Noir red wines in South Africa."  

 

Producer Information: Richard Kershaw Wines

Richard Kershaw wines was founded in 2012, by Master of Wine Richard Kershaw. Richard’s mission is to focus on noble grapes and create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wines in ...
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