Winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson sourced the fruit entirely from the single-vineyard Elandskloof valley on Kaaimansgat farm. This unique site sits at 700 meters above sea level. Dramatic, snow-capped mountain peaks surround the vines to create a truly distinctive cool-climate terroir.

Mabalel is named after a poem by the legendary South African polymath Eugene Marais, which tells the story of a local chieftain’s daughter of the same name who was ambushed while fetching water from the Limpopo river by the crocodile, Lalele. The vineyard is planted on ‘Kaaimansgat’ farm - meaning Crocodile’s lair - and a river flows past the vineyard. The site is 700m high and surrounded by dramatic mountains, with peaks that are are often snow-capped in winter.

Naturally fermented with 100% of the fruit de-stemmed. Extraction is kept to a minimum during active fermentation with a total time of 4 weeks on the skins.

Tasting Notes: Pretty, ethereal and perfumed: the nose showing raspberries, wild strawberry, tomato leaf and green tobacco. The mouthfeel is juicy and supple, with rhubarb, cranberry, orange peel and a touch of briny salinity at the end that refreshes the palate and lifts the wine. A linear, precise and elegant vintage.

Food Pairing: Delicate, aromatic, and elegant cool-climate wine. Its vibrant red fruit, subtle earthiness, and bright acidity make it ideal for earthy, delicate proteins like duck breast, roasted game birds, wild mushroom dishes, and seared salmon. 

Neal Martin says of their wines, 'These are some of South Africa's finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.'

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.27% | TA 5.1g/L | pH 3.53 | RS 2.1g/L