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- 100% Pinot Noir
- Single vineyard named after a movie based on the life of Napoleon were shot on the site
- Cuvée is selected from barrels that were designed to produced the highest quality Pinot Noir with the planting of high density vines using disease-free Dijon clones
- 60% whole bunch & 40% whole berries fermented with only native yeasts in stainless steel tanks for 31 days
- Aged for 11 months in French oak, 25% new
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2023
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Walker Bay
Appellation:
Hemel-en-Aarde
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ZA-CRY-12-23 | 6/750ml |
Resources
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2018-08-01
Decanter
Score
98
Date
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2019-11-01
Vinous
Score
90
Date
2021-12-01
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2022-09-29
Wine Spectator
Score
90
Date
2023-06-02
"An elegant red, with a delicate skein of ground anise and white pepper winding through mulled cherry, plum sauce, iron and violet. Fresh and well-meshed, with fine tannins emerging on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 650 cases made, 15 cases imported."
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2023-12-11
"Crystallum was founded in 2007 by third-generation winemaking brothers PeterAllan and Andrew Finlayson, who gave this vineyard its name inspired by the site's use as a filming location before they planted vines in 2009. This is wild yeast-fermented in tank with 60% whole clusters, then matured in barrel, 25% new, for 11 months. Anne Krebiehl MW: Lovely depth of fruit, tart but aromatic red cherry, really pure. Bright and snappy, lithe, soaring, bright. Elegant tannins, taut body, vivid. Justin Knock MW: Lovely berry fruit, savoury tannins – structured and fierce. A wine of strong intent, with a Campari-like finish. Dirceu Vianna Junior MW: Modern, alight with bright red fruits, elegant floral notes and a hint of spice. Wonderful purity of red forest fruits with a hint of spice."
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5
Date
2023-06-01
"Pale ruby. Rich and sweet and fun. Lots of breezy life and a hint of oak still. Slightly tough end but a good emissary of Hemel (though by no means the only one!). Real punch on the end. Long. 13.5%"
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-02
"The 2022 Cuv,e Cinema has a little more cohesion on the nose compared to the Peter Max and Mabalel, with slightly darker fruit here, an underlying marine influence coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, structured with fine grip, sour cherry mixed with raspberry and graphite and a long, saline finish. This is very promising."
Wine Advocate
Score
94+
Date
2023-12-29
"Opening to a darker, red-fruited nose, the 2022 Cuvee Cinema Pinot Noir leaps out of the glass with notes of potpourri and black tea with hints of oak spice. Medium-bodied, the palate offers a firm-gripping tannic edge and bright acidity that will either need time or food; I suspect both. It's still a baby and super tight, so be patient, give it time and start enjoying it in 2025. Just over 5,500 bottles were filled after resting for about a year in all French oak, 25% new. I can see where this is headed, and it's an absolute crusher of a bottle. Your patience will be rewarded."