Hamilton Russell Vineyards - Pinot Noir 2016

Hamilton Russell Vineyards - Pinot Noir 2016 (88 TSW)

Are you a Pinot Noir lover? Tried one from Heaven-And-Earth Valley (South Africa)

My tasting notes:

In the glass a brick red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of red berries, strawberries and cherries with hints of smoke, black pepper and earthy hints.
On the palate dry, medium bodied with medium+ acidity and medium tannins. Flavours of red fruits, spices and herbs. Nice and long aftertaste. Would like to try in 3/4 years.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is one of the southernmost wineries in Africa. It is located in the beautiful, cool and maritime Heaven-and-Earth Valley, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The wine company specializes in producing highly individual terroir-driven pinot noir and chardonnay, which are widely regarded as some of the best in South Africa and the New World.

Founder Tim Hamilton Russell bought the vacant 170 ha domain in 1975. This was after an exhaustive search for the southernmost place in South Africa where 'cool-climate' wines could be made from a selection of noble varieties. His son Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took the helm in 1991, narrowed the range to pinot noir and chardonnay and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as Estate. This is to emphasize that we only work with our own grapes from a unique terroir.

He made the choice to choose only two grape varieties after an extensive soil survey in 1994, which showed that 52 hectares of his estate had exceptional properties for this purpose. The bottom consists of stone, clay and shale, an excellent base for the two 'Bourgogne grapes'. Anthony with winemaker Hannes Storm and vinologist Johan Montgomery are fully committed to their terroir. Low yields and high global demand keep these elegant, characterful wines limited available.