Benchmark Southern Hemisphere Pinot Noir

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Hamilton Russell Vineyards

"one of the leading producers of Burgundian-styled wines in the Southern Hemisphere"
- Andy Howard MW, Decanter

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Is one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea. They pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool and maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation. The Estate specialises in producing terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the finest in the New World.

Founder Tim Hamilton Russell purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa's top cool climate wines. His son, Antony Hamilton Russell, took over in 1991.

The latest vintage has only just arrived in the UK and there are no reviews published as yet but I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle to taste. After the catastrophic wild fires which meant no 2019 Hamilton Russell fruit could be used, due to smoke taint, it's great to see the estate back on form with a terrific 2020. Since taking over winemaking in 2014, star winemaker, Emul Ross (formerly of Cape Chomix) has really raised the bar for Hamilton Russell's Pinot Noir.

Allocation of these wines is hard to come by and we have just 10 cases to offer.

ETA 4 weeks.

2020 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir

£139.00 per 6 Bot Case, in bond
£182.87 Duty & VAT paid

Fragrant, freshly-picked ripe strawberry, kumquat, yuzu, lifted shiso and floral aromatics make for a lively and inviting nose. This reminds me of a fine Pernand Vergelesses. The palate is nothing short of electrifying. Finely wrought with precision and tension. Mouth-watering bursts of redcurrant, raspberry, cranberry, and cherry are overlaid with savoury nuances, a gentle pepperiness and minerality. The polished tannins and refreshing acidity are perfectly aligned. This is perhaps the most poised and ethereal edition of HR’s flagship Pinot to-date; it’s certainly the most Burgundian. The long and tantalising finish tapers to a fine point. There’s no reason not to enjoy this now for all its youthful vibrance but if you can put it away for a while and there will be even more to come. Now-2033+
Simon Quinn, VinQuinn