A journey down to the beautiful coast of South Africa today. As one of the most southerly wine estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea Hamilton Russell winery is located in cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The winery focuses on producing limited amounts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Anthony Hamilton Russell took over from the founder, Tim Hamilton Russell, in 1991, and bought the property from the family in 1994. Tim originally purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, searching for a great site to make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Vines are set on stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil which create lovely earthy and terroir-driven wines. Their new releases were really outstanding.
One of the best new world Sauvignon Blanc wines that I have sampled this year, the 2016 ‘Southern Right’ Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 91) has gobs of bright flavors and a silky mouthfeel. Even better was the new release 2016 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) which showed a wonderful range of red fruits and a marvelous acidity. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.com Here are the new release wines by Hamilton Russell.
2016 Hamilton Russell ‘Southern Right’ Sauvignon Blanc- Made by Hamilton Russell, this Sauvignon Blanc wine opens with a bouquet of gooseberry, white peach, Serrano pepper and Gravenstein apple. Bright and beautifully balanced, this has a lovely rich texture and a ripe mouthfeel. Brioche, green papaya, New York apple and kiwi flavors sit alongside lively minerality. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2016 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir- The 2016 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir is sourced from a 52 hectare vineyard set on shale. Translucent in color, this wine begins with earthy aromatics of forest floor, tobacco leaf, with red currant jelly. Lithe, with a strong salinity, the wine shows red cherry, marionberry, sweet tobacco and cran-pomegranate flavors that connect with beautiful tension. The finish lingers. This beauty will cellar for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2030- 92