South Africa 2021

The vineyard takes its name from from the final use for the land before vineyards were planted: to shoot a film about Napoleon. Here, clay and iron rich soils with schist, just 6km from the ocean give plenty of structure: this is an intense Pinot Noir. Notes of pomegranate and a hint of citrus complete the picture on this brilliant wine.

The Peter Max Pinot Noir is the introduction to the estate. It comes from five different plots, from different regions, and its name honours the first growers to sell grapes for the wine (the sources have since changed). It’s lifted and approachable, with lots of pomegranate and blood orange character. Just lovely in 2020.

The Agnes Chardonnay honours Peter-Allan’s grandmother, who arrived in South Africa at the age of 14, and is a blend of different vineyards, from across the Cape. This year it includes a little fruit from the high altitude Ceres plateau for the first time, and there’s just a little more precision this year, maybe from that fruit. It gets better and better: a bargain.