A distinguished vertical set showcasing three consecutive vintages of Hamilton Russell's benchmark Pinot Noir from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa. This collector’s trio highlights the estate's elegant, terroir-driven expression through varying vintage conditions.

2015-2017 Virtual Case of 3:

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Apr 28, 2017
Drink Date: 2018-2030

The 2015 Pinot Noir offers attractive red cherry and bergamot tea-like scents on the well-defined bouquet, that "foxy" note on the 2014 fortunately not in evidence here. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry, vivid red cherry and raspberry fruit, a fine silver bead of acidity, the 40% new oak neatly embroidered into the fabric of the wine. I like the symmetry here, the warmth of the growing season really benefiting the style of this Pinot Noir. Back on form after the 2014.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Apr 28, 2017
Drink Date: 2019-2032

The 2016 Pinot Noir is the latest release from the estate for 2017. It was the second organic vintage in an initially dry season, rain towards the end. It has low conversion rate of alcohol compared to the 2015, the final figure 13.87%. "It was a challenging vintage," commented Anthony Hamilton-Russell, "due to oidium scares. Stylistically, I don't think it will have the same mass appeal as the 2015." It has a tightly wound bouquet with certainly darker fruit than the 2015, a touch of fennel and cooked Italian meat in the background. The palate is well balanced with sappy red berry fruit, more structured than the 2014 with a dash of black pepper on the linear finish. It deserves 3-4 years in bottle.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2017

Decanter.com | D 93
Published: Mar 4, 2020

Bright and youthful red colour and with wood a little more evident on the nose, this still needs another six months or so to fully integrate. Very fine, ripe, tannins on the palate, these are sweet and typically Pinot in character. There is plenty of fleshy dark fruit on the palate in this 2017 with crisp acidity providing freshness to the long finish. Perhaps not quite as much depth of flavour here but still a very refined Pinot Noir.