Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir
Walker Bay , Cape South Coast, Western Cape, South Africa
After majority of estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 PN marks the return of Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Ruby with aromas of red fruits, berries and earthy herb spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry, notes of tea, good balance with lively acidity. Soft firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy herb character. Nice!
After majority of estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 PN marks the return of Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Ruby with aromas of red fruits, berries and earthy herb spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry, notes of tea, good balance with lively acidity. Soft firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy herb character. Nice!
Oct 31st, 2022
Sits there in spectrums of reds and browns. Thick, textured, rusted edges with a little glow.
Macerated strawberries dried blood orange slice, and sour prune juice, squirt of deep home-brewed soy sauce. The kind you only find at the best sushi spots.
Sour, primal, raw - something altogether more interesting than it is elegant.
Sits there in spectrums of reds and browns. Thick, textured, rusted edges with a little glow.
Macerated strawberries dried blood orange slice, and sour prune juice, squirt of deep home-brewed soy sauce. The kind you only find at the best sushi spots.
Sour, primal, raw - something altogether more interesting than it is elegant.
Crunchy and minerally - bright acidity but could use a bit more depth and complexity for my liking. Certainly food friendly and not as lovely as I remember an earlier vintage consumed in Capetown.
Crunchy and minerally - bright acidity but could use a bit more depth and complexity for my liking. Certainly food friendly and not as lovely as I remember an earlier vintage consumed in Capetown.
Oct 11th, 2022
Lovely South African Pinot Noir. Light garnet color. Aromas of raspberry and fresh herbs. Pallet drives raspberry and red currant fruit (background) with notes of those ever present herbs, spices and a touch of orange zest. Lingering mineral-filled finish. Bright acidity with crisp tannins. Kind of a cross between Burgundian and Oregon in style. Quite good. Thank You Kevin Z! Revisited in December 2023. Quite good.
Lovely South African Pinot Noir. Light garnet color. Aromas of raspberry and fresh herbs. Pallet drives raspberry and red currant fruit (background) with notes of those ever present herbs, spices and a touch of orange zest. Lingering mineral-filled finish. Bright acidity with crisp tannins. Kind of a cross between Burgundian and Oregon in style. Quite good. Thank You Kevin Z! Revisited in December 2023. Quite good.
Oct 8th, 2022
Definitely young and not ready yet. Sophisticated bouquet full of forest floor, leather, spices, wild strawberry and red plum. Juicy, well balanced, but harsh and not as structured as it can be. Shame, but I was risking by taking such a young bottle.
Definitely young and not ready yet. Sophisticated bouquet full of forest floor, leather, spices, wild strawberry and red plum. Juicy, well balanced, but harsh and not as structured as it can be. Shame, but I was risking by taking such a young bottle.
Sep 27th, 2021
A Pinot Noir from South Africa 🇿🇦 this time. From the Hemel en Arde Valley (means Heaven and Earth in Afrikaans). On the Nose, strawberries 🍓, red cherry 🍒, raspberries with slight notes of oak, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and clove and hints of earthiness. the palate delightful flavours of red fruits and Forrest floor with medium tannins. The oak was not overpowering in this and gave room to appreciate the red fruit and earthy notes of this wine. This wine was more pushing towards a Pinotage. Drink this with food especially game and veal. 🙂
A Pinot Noir from South Africa 🇿🇦 this time. From the Hemel en Arde Valley (means Heaven and Earth in Afrikaans). On the Nose, strawberries 🍓, red cherry 🍒, raspberries with slight notes of oak, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and clove and hints of earthiness. the palate delightful flavours of red fruits and Forrest floor with medium tannins. The oak was not overpowering in this and gave room to appreciate the red fruit and earthy notes of this wine. This wine was more pushing towards a Pinotage. Drink this with food especially game and veal. 🙂
Jun 14th, 2021