Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2024

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2024 is a refined, elegantly crafted expression of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley terroir. On the nose, it offers a complex and alluring bouquet of dark, spicy fruit, including black cherries and crushed red berries, seamlessly interwoven with savory, primal undertones of forest floor, wild herbs, and subtle woodsmoke. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh, and remarkably textured, showcasing a balance of juicy, earthy fruit framed by a tight, fine-grained tannin structure and a crisp core of vibrant acidity. Benefiting from a cool maritime climate and careful maturation in French oak, it culminates in a gracefully long, mineral-driven finish that is classically structured and highly age-worthy.

Food Pairing:

Pairs beautifully with roasted duck confit, savory mushroom risotto, seared wild salmon, venison carpaccio, or rich, earthy game stews.

93 Points - James Suckling

This elegant, gently earthy red has aromas and flavors of licorice, mushrooms, bark and red berries. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and juicy, with very fine tannins and subtle spice notes. Delicious now, but can hold.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2024 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir has a spicy, brambly aromatic profile with eucalyptus-like high notes, alongside distant hints of cinnamon, clove and orange zest. This is a lean-bodied red with good textural backing, giving the wine a firm and silky mid-palate. Fermentation includes 10% whole-bunch fruit, with the remainder destemmed but not crushed, and the wine is matured entirely in new and neutral oak for 10 months. The cool maritime climate of Hemel-en-Aarde, shaped by ocean breezes and clay-rich Bokkeveld soils, supports the wine’s precision and restrained structure.