Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir

Rebels and pioneers, Hamilton Russell Vineyards were the first to grow vines in the cool, maritime region of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Tim Hamilton Russell planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on previously uncultivated land in 1976, both rare varieties for South Africa at the time. The site he chose behind the old fishing village of Hermanus allows for unusually classically styled wines, which have garnered the reputation as some of the best in South Africa and the New World, to be produced near the tip of the African continent.

1994 saw Anthony Hamilton Russell take ownership of the Estate, and extensive soil research was initiated which identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale soils as optimal for the individual, expressive style of wine desired. Today, the Estate has 20 parcels of Chardonnay vines, all vinified separately, before blending for consistency of aesthetic, but with the character of the vintage also present. The Pinot Noir plots give Burgundian subtlety, texture and length, which is down to the identification of the shale/gravel soils on which the vines now grow.

Pinot Noir,

Amongst the vines, biodynamic practices are beginning to prevail; nitrogen fixing lupins and earthworm tea are used to restore vital microbes to the soil, with biodiversity islands being used to bring beneficial plants to the area. In the winery, Anthony and winemaker Emul Ross seek to make wines which demand something from the drinker, as fine literature does from the reader.

This Pinot Noir has a remarkably savoury aromatic profile, offering brooding dark spice notes and shades of leather which mingle with riper, perfumed fruit character.

Nolan - Text from the Spotlight On The Red Wines of South Africa blog.

Tim Hamilton Russell planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on previously uncultivated land in 1976, both of these were rare varieties for South Africa at the time. The site he chose, behind the old fishing village of Hermanus, allows for unusually classically styled wines which have garnered the reputation as some of the best in South Africa and the New World overall.

Hermanus is at the mouth of the Hemmel-an-Aarde Valley which is one of South Africa’s top cool climate vineyard areas. As mentioned previously in Hamilton Russell’s sister company, Southern Right, with their Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde name means “Heaven and Earth”. Essentially this name could be thought of as “God’s own County”, this then must be a wine for us Yorkshire folk!

It is rare to find a New World Pinot Noir that shows the range of flavours and mouth feel that is present in the wines from the hallowed lands of Burgundy but I think Hamilton Russell have achieved just that. Extensive soil research was initiated which identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale soils as optimal for the individual, expressive style of wine desired. Today, the Estate has 20 parcels of Chardonnay vines, all vinified separately, before blending for consistency of aesthetic, but with the character of the vintage also present. The Pinot Noir plots give Burgundian subtlety, texture and length, which is down to the identification of the shale/gravel soils on which the vines now grow.

Amongst the vines, biodynamic practices are beginning to prevail; nitrogen fixing lupins and earthworm tea are used to restore vital microbes to the soil, with biodiversity islands being used to bring beneficial plants to the area.

This Pinot Noir has a remarkably savoury aromatic profile, offering brooding dark spice notes and shades of leather which mingle with riper, perfumed fruit character.

This savoury style of wine is magic with the delicate flavours of filet mignon.