Blackwater ‘Cuvee Terra Lux’ Pinot Noir 2022

Pinot Noir is often described as the heartbreak grape. Difficult to grow, difficult to make and all too often disappointing. In fact, François Haasbroek (surname translates to English from Afrikaans to: Rabbit Pants. Just a bit of fun...) admitted to us that as red Burgundy lover, he only makes Pinot Noir very occasionally when the stars align.

Cuvée Terra Lux is everything good Pinot Noir should be: fragrant, silky and delicious. Bright red cherry, wild strawberry and cranberry fruit sit alongside subtle earthy notes and a gentle spice. The tannins are fine, the acidity is beautifully judged and the whole wine feels wonderfully balanced.

If you enjoy red Burgundy or New Zealand Pinot Noir, you'll love this. Particularly good with duck, game birds and mushroom dishes.

Blackwater is the personal project of winemaker François Haasbroek, one of South Africa's most respected small-scale producers. Having worked around the world before returning to the Cape, François built Blackwater around a simple philosophy: seek out exceptional vineyards, intervene as little as possible, and let the site do the talking. Rather than following trends, he has become known for championing overlooked grape varieties and old vineyards, producing wines that are distinctive, characterful and unmistakably South African. Omerta has become something of a cult wine, named after the code of silence because François originally refused to reveal where the fruit came from for fear another winemaker would snap up the vineyard.