2024 Vintage — Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa

Paul Clüver is the pioneer of Elgin Pinot Noir — a cool, high-elevation valley about an hour east of Cape Town, ringed by the Hottentots Holland mountains and within sight of the South Atlantic. The family planted their first Pinot blocks here in the 1980s when the variety was considered marginal for South Africa, and the estate now sets the benchmark for the country’s most Burgundian-feeling reds.

The Village Pinot Noir is the entry into the Clüver Pinot range — sourced from younger vineyard blocks across the estate, fermented in open-top tanks with around 20% whole bunches, and matured for nine months in older French oak (about 5% new) to keep the focus on fruit rather than wood. Whole-cluster aromatics, juicy red-fruited mid-palate and fine fresh acidity — a wine of finesse rather than power.

The 2024 release shows ripe raspberry, wild strawberry and a touch of cranberry, with subtle hints of dried herbs and rose petal. Light- to medium-bodied with bright acidity, silky tannins and a clean, gently spiced finish. The most accessible, food-friendly Pinot in the range.