COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2025
GRAPE
Pinot Noir
PRODUCER
Crystallum Wines
REGION
Western Cape
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Crystallum was founded in 2007 by brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson, third-generation winemakers and sons of the pioneer who first introduced Pinot Noir to the Hemel-en-Aarde region. Today, they work exclusively with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, earning critical acclaim as one of South Africa's finest cult estates. The 'Peter Max' cuvée is named after the first names of the growers who supplied the fruit for the inaugural vintage. It is now a multi-vineyard blend sourced from high-elevation sites across Hemel-en-Aarde, Elandskloof, and the Overberg, designed to express the diverse cool-climate terroirs of the Western Cape.
ALCOHOL
13.8%
AVG. PRICE
€34
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
14-16°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Named after Peter and Max, the two growers who supplied the fruit for Crystallum's very first Pinot Noir vintage.
Fact 02
The wine is crafted using 50% whole-bunch fermentation to add structural tension and Christmas spice notes.
Fact 03
Crystallum was founded by brothers Andrew and Peter-Allan Finlayson, sons of the pioneer who first brought Pinot Noir to Hemel-en-Aarde.
FOOD PAIRING
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WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Crystallum is defined by a minimal-intervention, site-expressive philosophy. Hand-harvested fruit undergoes natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts. A key signature of this vintage is the use of 50% whole-cluster fermentation to build structural tension, aromatics, and savory spice, with the remaining 50% de-stemmed. Total skin contact time is exactly four weeks with minimal extraction. The wine is aged for nine months in light-to-medium toasted 228L and 500L French oak barrels, primarily older oak, to preserve the purity of the fruit.
