WINE OF THE WEEK: 2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyard Pinot Noir
This week we are setting our sights on a gorgeous wine made from Pinot Noir which comes to us from across the seas, from the fair land of South Africa.
(By the way, in case you're wondering and you don't quite know, Pinot Noir is pronounced as "Pee-no No-waar". We hope this someone out there! After all, we all start somewhere.....:))
Read on to learn all that you need to know about this wine.
2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir: Wine Review
While South African wines might not be high on your radar, they probably should be, especially the 2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir, which is a shining example of a cool climate South African Pinot Noir at a very fair price point.
What does this wine cost?
$69 CDN - a solid value for a Pinot Noir at this quality level.
What grape variety(ies) are in this wine?
This is a 100% varietal Pinot Noir wine.
About Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Situated in the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Western Cape of South Africa, Hamilton Russell Vineyards stands as a testament to the mastery of cool-climate winemaking and the vision of a pioneer who believed in the potential of this part of the world.
Originally founded in 1975 by the visionary Tim Hamilton Russell, this esteemed estate has garnered global acclaim for its exceptional wines made in a cool climate style, with a focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tim Hamilton Russell was driven by a profound passion for Burgundian varietals and captivated by the unique terroir of South Africa's Hemel-en-Aarde Valley which he felt presented an ideal environment for cultivating world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
These days, under the guidance of Tim's son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, this producer continues to uphold its legacy of crafting wines that reflect the essence of their terroir and provide a unique perspective on Burgundian style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
To learn more about Hamilton Russell Vineyards, click here.
Understanding Terroir: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
"Hemel-en-Aarde" means "Heaven and Earth" in Afrikaans, which is a lovely way to think about this little parcel of the earth.
Situated within the Walker Bay district of the Western Cape, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley consists of three distinct wards (namely Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley) which stretch north, east and west from the seaside town of Hermanus (famous for its whale watching opportunities and its beaches) into the foothills of nearby mountains.
The valley overlooks Walker Bay and benefits from constant, cooling breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as morning mists. These factors combine to result in a cool maritime climate influenced by Atlantic breezes and morning mists that promote slow ripening, optimal flavour development and high acidity levels in grapes grown here.
It is worth noting that the most famous Hemel-en-Aarde Valley wines are usually crafted from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and are wines which are said to be made in a classic "Burgundian" style.
To learn more about Hemel-en-Aarde, click here.
What Makes This Wine Unique
This wine is produced by a benchmark South African wine producer and is one of two signature wines in the company's portfolio. It is made from extremely low yielding vines and a very small amount of cases is made each year.
The 2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir has also been very highly praised in noteworthy publications such as Wine Spectator, Decanter and Wine Enthusiast and the wine is made using high standards of care (see below for more information).
A few Wine Geek “essential facts” about the wine (feel free to skip this if you don’t care about detailed wine-making information!):
Grape Variety - 100% Pinot Noir
Grapes - 10% whole cluster
Yields - less than 35 hL/ha
Soils - Low-vigour, stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil
Maturation - 100% aged in 228L french oak barrels for a period of 10 months, split across 36% new, 36% second use and 28% third use barrels
Production Level - approximately 2300 cases
ABV - 13.5%
Residual Sugar - 2 g/L
Wineitupanotch Wine Tasting Notes:
Pouring a brilliant transparent ruby in the glass, the 2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir offers aromas of ripe cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate, cedar, and delicate sweet baking spices.
On the palate, this South African Pinot Noir has a very silky texture with notes of red berries and dried herbs complemented by earth and baking spice notes. There is vibrant acidity which provides structure, while the tannins are rounded but grippy. The wine has a very long and lingering fruit and spice driven finish that is very beguiling. This is indeed a very elegant wine!
Aging potential:
This wine has the potential to continue to improve over the next 5 years.
Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:
In our opinion, the 2022 Hamilton Ruseel Vineyards Pinot Noir will pair very nicely with a range of food. We would recommend pairing this wine with dishes such as roasted duck breast, mushroom risotto and/or earthy soft cheeses to really bring out its fruity, earthy flavour profile!
Wineitupanotch Wine Rating: 92 points
This wine is undoubtedly made with a high regard for quality and integrity. It has the guts to be cellar worthy but also the finesse and elegance to drink now. And we really love the price of this top rated Burgundian-style Pinot Noir - it's a fraction of what you'd pay for Pinot Noir from Burgundy!
FINAL VERDICT:
Definitely one of the best South African wines on the market, we think you should definitely buy this wine...and buy a few if you can! It makes the perfect gift for the serious Pinot Noir aficionado and/or a great addition to any serious wine collector's cellar!
If you’ve tried this wine already, or decide to pick it up and try it after reading this post, we’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop us a line.
Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good wine!……
Cheers…..XOXO