2021 Kara-Tara Pinot Noir, Elgin, South Africa
Regular price $25.00
Unit price per
100% Pinot Noir
Kara-Tara is the passion project of Stark-Condé’s head winemaker, Rüdger van Wyk. Located in Elgin, just an hour outside of Cape Town, Kara-Tara focuses particularly on Pinot Noir, which thrives in this high-elevation cool climate. The name, which translates from native Khoisan language as “deep dark shadows” is a reference to both the Karatara River that runs past van Wyk’s hometown, and also the complex and nuanced character of his wines. All the fruit is sourced from carefully-selected, premium vineyards across the Elgin region.
It is first crushed into small open tanks, then the must is cold-soaked for two days. 30% of the wine is fermented with whole clusters and aged in a blend of new and used French oak. The wine is elegant and lightly woody, showing classic strawberry and red cherry notes along with a hint of spice. The structure reveals silky tannins that balance out fruit forward characteristics.