Pinot Noir 2019

HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS

Pinot Noir
2019

Country
South Africa
Regulated designation
Wine of origin (WO)
Region
Western Cape
Subregion
Cape South Coast
Appellation
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Varietal(s)
Pinot Noir 100 %
Alcohol percentage
13.8%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
3,4 g/l
Producer's website

About this winery

Hamilton Russell Vineyards – one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea – pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the finest in the New World. Owner, Anthony Hamilton Russell took...

See the HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

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. The wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation. Barrel aged for 10 months with 100% barrel maturation in French Oak barrels.

Tasting notes

Hamilton Russell's philosophy of expressing the terroir in their wines gives rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of this Pinot noir. It 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.

Press reviews

Decanter

- 96 points -

Andy Howard MW,

Anthony Hamilton Russell views this as perhaps his finest Pinot Noir to date. 2021 was a cooler, later vintage (only 2001, 2004 and 2008 have been cooler in the past 25 years). It shows concentrated red berry fruit and sweet and spicy notes on the palate with velvety tannins and structure for the long haul. Aged 10 months in François Frères barriques. Still ultra-youthful, it needs two or three years but will keep several decades.

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Tim Atkin

- 95 points -

Tim Atkin, (Vintage 2019)

Made with 84% purchased fruit because of the fire in Hamilton Russell’s own vineyards, this is a cuvée of the three Hemel-en-Aarde Valley sub-regions, and all the better for it. A one-off it may be, but it’s less earthy and backward than the estate’s normal style, combining fragrance elegance with racy red berry fruit, some clove spice, supporting tannins and stylish oak.

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Decanter

- 95 points -

(Vintage 2019)

Anthony Hamilton Russell hopes this will be a unique wine, being the only HR Pinot Noir to be made with bought-in grapes (generously sold to him by other high-quality producers) when fire hit the estate, with 84% of their own fruit affected. This is a blend of grapes from Upper Hemel-en-Aarde and the Ridge. Very approachable already, attractive red-fruits and a slight earthiness. A fine effort in trying circumstances. Labelled just Hamilton Russell, rather than Hamilton Russell Vineyards to distinguish.

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James Suckling

- 93 points -

Aromas of cherries and wild strawberries with dried herbs, paprika, citrus rind and stones. Medium-bodied with round texture. Refined and delicate pinot with juicy character, impressive tension and length. Lingering finish with notes of nut shell and spices. Sustainable. Drink or hold.

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Vinous

- 91 points -

(Vintage 2019)

The 2019 Pinot Noir is Walker Bay in terms of Wine of Origin rather than Hemel-en-Aarde, since much of their Pinot Noir was rejected after wildfires tainted the fruit. The majority of fruit was sourced from benevolent growers in the valley, and completely destemmed but not crushed, then matured in 24% new French oak. This has an open, quite herbal bouquet of vibrant red and black fruit, underlying sous-bois notes coming through with aeration. The well-balanced palate offers fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Open and expressive, with a pinch of black pepper on the cohesive finish. Given the trauma suffered this vintage, this should be considered a success, not least because it still seems to bear the imprimatur of Hamilton Russell.

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Wine Advocate

- 90 points -

(Vintage 2019)

Before I begin my tasting note, I'd like to quickly focus on what Hamilton Russell has written on the back of their 2019 Pinot Noir label. While wildfires are not an uncommon occurrence for South Africa, it is refreshing to see such high integrity and transparency as Hamilton Russell has displayed in a challenging situation. Bottled as Walker Bay wine of origin, they had to reject almost all of their Pinot Noir vineyard fruit due to a wildfire. The estate stands to gain more trust and brand loyalty from their followers from the decision to be completely open and transparent about what happened to them and their Pinot Noir in 2019. I wish more of the world were as honest and transparent as Hamilton Russell has demonstrated to every consumer of this vintage. I don't know everything there is to know about building brand loyalty, but I am confident that the first chapter of that playbook begins with what Hamilton Russell has written on the back of this particular bottling.

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