HAMILTON RUSSELL PINOT NOIR. ALL 95+ POINTS
February 15, 2025
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Hamilton Russell is one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa. This Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist pioneered viticulture in the beautiful, cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation.
The Estate specializes in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the finest in the New World.
Anthony Hamilton Russell took over the estate in 1991 from his father. Inspired by the wines of Burgundy, he decided then to grow only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Then in 1994 extensive soil research was initiated and identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale-soil. Optimal for the individual, origin expressive style they aim for.
The stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields and the philosophy of expressing terroir in the wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of this spectacular Pinot noir. The style of this Pinot noir is not overtly fruity, soft and "sweet" and it generally shows hints of that along with savoury "primal" character and a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.
A rare opportunity to obtain 3 spectacular vintages of Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir!
Free delivery in the GTA for any orders above $400 before tax
Pinot Noir 2018/2020/2021
2018
Very fine Pinot with floral notes and a glorious combination of cool, ripe, red and dark cherry fruit, gentle oak and a slight herbal character allied to a whiff of tobacco. The tannins are ultra-fine tannins and there's still plenty of vibrant acidity. It's a wine of understated power – almost delicate – yet with the structure to age effortlessly for many years.
-95 points Decanter
2020
Bouncing back from the fires in 2019 - and then some - this is the best young Pinot Noir release I've tasted from Hamilton Russell. Representing a subtle shift in style towards greater perfume and fruit, this is a detailed, finely judged blend of clones 113, 115 and 667, with svelte tannins, tidy acidity, rose petal top notes and skilfully integrated oak.
-96 points Tim Aitkin
2021
Shows concentrated red berry fruit and sweet and spicy notes on the palate with velvety tannins and structure for the long haul. Still ultra-youthful, it needs two or three years but will keep several decades.
-96 points Decanter
119.99/btl - Case of 3 btls
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