Source: Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2021 Special Report (Tim Atkin -96 pts, Classified 1st Growth Winery)

Bouncing back from the fires in 2019 – and then some – this is the best young Pinot Noir release I’ve tasted from Hamilton Russell. Representing a subtle shift in style towards greater perfume and fruit, this is a detailed, finely judged blend of clones 113, 115 and 667, with svelte tannins, tidy acidity, rose petal top notes and skilfully integrated oak.

Source: Winemaker,

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. Our Pinot noir 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

Soil Low-vigour, stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil

Alcohol 12.80% Acid 5.44 g/l pH 3.65 Residual Sugar 1.90 g/l

Barrel Ageing 10 months

Wooding 100% 228 litre French Oak Barrels Tight Grain 100%

1st fill 25% 2nd fill 25% 3rd fill 42% 4th fill 8%

Blonde Toast 60% Medium Toast 40%

French Coopers: Francois Freres 90% Mercurey 8% Tremeaux 2%

Yield 21.5 hl/ha, 3.32 tons/ha Production 2 591 x 12 cases

Vegan Friendly

Release date February 2021