Could this be the most exciting Pinot Noir in SA? With 95 points from Christian Eedes and coming in at less than half the price of top local Pinots, the quality on offer here is incredible. Made by Damascene’s rockstar winemaker Jean Smit, alongside business partner David Curl, Moya Meaker has quickly become the property to watch for Pinot and Riesling in Elgin.
Tasting the 2023 Pinot again yesterday confirmed its complexity, refinement and elegance. The wine unfurls with pressed florals, damp earth and comforting autumnal notes, followed by dark cherry and plum on the palate with savoury undertones, oak spices and evolving notes of black tea and crushed stone. It’s remarkably complex for only R325.
From a vineyard planted in 2006 on shale and only seeing concrete for 11 months, the Moya Meaker Riesling always has this lemon curd and lime blossom character that’s so attractive. The 2023 is pure fruited with notes of elderflower and white peach. Mineral and downright delicious, it’s seemingly bone dry, showing real tension and a chalky finish. This will age very well over the next few years. If you love drinking wine alongside your food, the Riesling’s versatility goes unmatched – think Cape Malay curry, grilled sardines, and everything in between. Only 2,000 bottles made.
Established in 2010 by Canadian-born David Curl, the former owner of Château Gaby in Bordeaux, Moya Meaker lies in an amphitheatre formed by surrounding mountains. At 320m altitude, the vines are exposed to large diurnal shifts, giving the Pinot Noir its bright acidity and plush fruit density. Their 3-ha parcel of ancient Bokkeveld shale soils offers the perfect terroir for this elusive Burgundian variety.
Tasting Notes:
Moya Meaker W.O. Elgin Pinot Noir 2023
‘Grapes from a vineyard planted to clones 667 and 777 in 2010 on shale. Matured for 10 months in 300-litre barrels, 20% new. Red cherry, orange, musk, white pepper and a hint of vanilla on the nose. The palate is particularly vivid – pure fruit, lovely bright acidity and powdery tannins, the finish long and dry. The most successful vintage to date. Alc: 13.72%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
Moya Meaker W.O. Elgin Riesling 2023
‘Grapes from a vineyard planted in 2006 on shale. Fermented and matured for 11 months in concrete. Flinty reduction before lime, green apple, peach and some petrol on the nose. The palate is imposing with dense fruit, punchy acidity and a super-dry finish. Sweet ‘n sour with a creamy texture. Alc: 12.16%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100
‘The 2023 Riesling Elgin is the only cuvée that is destemmed, with whole berries pressed and transferred to concrete vats for a relatively warmer fermentation. It aged on the lees for 11 months. This is pure and refined on the nose, reminding me of a fine Clare Valley Riesling with its aromas of pressed white flowers and very subtle oily scents. The palate is well balanced with an orange-rind-tinged entry. Cohesive and expressive of its varietal, this will be ready to go from bottling, though it should also reward time in bottle. There is 7g/l residual sugar here, but you would never know it.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 90/100
