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2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Pinot Noir
Jancis Robinson MW
16.5/20
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Product: 20228114017
2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa

Description

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir is from low-yielding vines on clay-rich soils. The 2022 is aged in French oak barriques from Francois Freres with 36% new oak and sees a small proportion of the whole bunch. It is full of crunchy red fruit and savoury, spicy, earthy notes. 

The oak is incredibly well integrated, soft and plush on the palate, yet tight and nuanced. Cranberry and strawberries, spice and herbs, while gripping tannins, add structure. Deliciously Burgundian and distinctively South African. 13.3% abv. 

Drink now - 2037

Alex Weller, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (August 2023)

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2022
Alcohol % 13.5
Grape List Pinot Noir
Body Full Bodied
Property Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Critics reviews

Jancis Robinson MW 16.5/20
Organically farmed until 2022, but disease pressure forced them to abandon this. 8% whole bunch. Aged 10 months in François Frères burgundy barrels (36% new). Ambient yeast and their own, commercially available, Sauvage strain. Mainly 115, plus 113 and 667 clones (apparently, 777 rots too easily this close to the ocean). Since 2021 they have worked with more clarification pre-barrel to reduce reduction ‘which is not understood on the SA market’, according to Albrecht. He also makes wine for Hamilton Russell at Zena Crown in Oregon, where he can press directly into barrel, and there’s no reduction. Mid to pale ruby. Quite ambitious, restrained nose. Slight perception of spritz on the palate and a little stern, definitely dry, on the end. Fine tannins.Drink 2024 - 2030jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (June 2023)
Drink 2024 - 2030
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Jun 2023)

About this wine

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.

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