Jean Smit, a rising star in SA winemaking, blew us away with the successful release of his stunning Damascene wines. He is certainly a winemaker to watch! His prowess is once again evident in this 2018 Pinot, which is his first release for Moya Meaker owner David Curl, who is also his partner in Damascene.

The 2018 Moya Meaker Pinot Noir offers serious Pinot punch at a great price point and has quickly become a Wine Cellar favourite. Named after David Curl’s mother-in-law, Moya Meaker, who was Miss SA in 1959, it celebrates her radiance and lively persona. This fine Pinot impresses with an alluring nose and poised fruit-purity, followed by lithe and fresh, yet plush and sensual tannins.

Established in 2010 by Canadian-born David Curl, the former owner of Château Gaby in Bordeaux, and South African-born Genevieve Hamilton-Brown, this Elgin property lies in an amphitheatre formed by the Hottentots-Holland, Groenland and Kogelberg Mountains. The 3-ha parcel of ancient Bokkeveld shale soils offers the perfect terroir for cultivating this elusive Burgundian grape.

At this high altitude, the vines are exposed to large diurnal shifts giving the Pinot Noir its bright acidity and lovely, plush fruit density. Produced from high-density plantings of Dijon 667 and 777 heritage clones, together with Jean’s deft winemaking, makes for a delicious, on-point Elgin Pinot at a great price. It offers excellent drinking while being serious enough to evolve over the next 5 years or so.

Moya Meaker, Pinot Noir 2018
The nose shows floral perfume before red and black fruit plus a hint of reduction. The palate shows lovely fruit purity, fresh acidity and fine tannins. The wine has some breadth (alcohol is 14%) but it’s not weighty and comes across as very deftly made. – Christian Eedes, 93/100

Moya Meaker uses the 667 and 777 Pinot Noir clones, established on Bokkeveld shale soils in Elgin, to make this bold, deeply coloured red, which is more California than Burgundy in style. Assertively oaked, it has smoky damson and black cherry fruit and tangy acidity. Drink 2020-25. – Tim Atkin MW, 91/100