CRYSTALLUM PETER MAX PINOT NOIR WESTERN CAPE 2024 750ml

A PRECIOUS WINE

Crystallum, founded in 2007 by brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson, is a family-owned winery in South Africa’s Walker Bay region. As third-generation winemakers, sons of Bouchard Finlayson’s Pinot Noir pioneer Peter Finlayson, they focus exclusively on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Based in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Crystallum sources grapes from select vineyards, emphasizing low-intervention winemaking with native yeasts. Their sustainable practices and innovative blends have earned global acclaim, with Peter-Allan named Tim Atkin MW’s South African Winemaker of the Year in 2021. Crystallum’s wines reflect the region’s cool-climate terroir, blending tradition and modernity.
The 2024 Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir blends grapes from Hemel-en-Aarde, Shaw’s Mountain, and Kaaimansgat vineyards, grown on clay-shale and limestone soils. Hand-harvested, 60% whole-bunch fermented, it undergoes wild fermentation in open-top fermenters. The wine ages 9 months in French oak barrels (10% new, 228L and 500L) and is bottled unfiltered. Yields are low, around 30 hl/ha, with 13.5% alcohol. The cool maritime climate slows ripening, enhancing flavor concentration and acidity. This multi-vineyard blend creates a complex, balanced Pinot Noir with aging potential.

TASTING NOTE:

The 2024 Crystallum Peter Max Pinot Noir displays a vibrant ruby hue. Its nose offers red cherry, wild strawberry, and rhubarb, with earthy clove, tree bark, and a smoky charcuterie note. The palate is fresh and precise, with red plum, tart cherry, and pine-resin tannins, balanced by crisp acidity. A long, dry finish reveals dark chocolate and maraschino cherry. This Burgundian-style Pinot, with concentrated fruit and grippy texture, pairs well with roast veal or mushroom risotto. Decant for an hour to enhance its complexity. Approachable now, it will evolve beautifully also.