Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2023

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir, Hermanus, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, 2023    

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir with 10 months in French oak using a combination of first/second/third and fourth fill barrels. Stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil. Wild yeast fermentation.

Located behind the coastal village of Hermanus, the Hamilton Russell vineyards are amongst the most southerly in all of South Africa and are heavily influenced by the maritime climate.

Producer Tasting Note:

Our low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of well under 35 hl/ha and our philosophy of expressing our terroir in our wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of our Pinot noir. Our Pinot noir is not overtly fruity, soft and "sweet" and it generally shows hints of that alluring savoury "primal" character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.

Critic's Tasting Note:

"Transparent garnet. Hint of rusty nail on the nose but attractive, salty-sweet tamarind fruit on the palate and some persistence. Just a little sweet and sour without the two fully integrated yet. Fresh but without quite the conviction and fruit-brilliance of their Chardonnay 2023. Perhaps it just needs time? I'm sure it's among South Africa's better Pinots." Drink 2026-2032

16.5/20 points, JancisRobinson, JancisRobinson.com, June 2024

Also awarded 94/100 points, Tim Atkin MW