Today we share one of the exciting wine projects that merges talent from South Africa and Oregon. Hamilton Russell Oregon coms sfrom famed South African producer Hamilton Russell, and proprietors Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell. For years I have admired their wines from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They are now producing two Oregon Wines: the 2021 Maple Grove Chardonnay and their Zena Crown Pinot Noir. There is a closeness to these wines compared to their Pinot and Chard that they make from very stony and salty South African terroir.
It is incredible that Hamilton Russell now spans more than 40 vintages. A famed player in South African wines, Anthony Hamilton Russell’s father, Tim, purchased over 400 acres near the coast to produce a range of wines which is now focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell have been drawn to the wines of the Willamette Valley for many years. Their new 2021 wines come from a warm vintage in Oregon and they’ve done a marvelous job creating wines that show good richness as well as underling finesse. I had such a nice time visiting with them over dinner last summer and discussing vintages and their Oregon project. They’ve done a really marvelous job capturing their style of winemaking in their Oregon series. These are wines that show really good nuance as well as stony and salty undertones — just as their South African coastal wines do.
Don’t miss out on the gorgeous 2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is sourced from one of the great vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, and this displays a beautiful core of red fruits with salty undercurrents. Learn more about these fantastic wines at www.HamiltonRussellOregon.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hamilton Russell Oregon.
2022 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Southern Right comes from this stony, low yielding site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This comes off beautifully textured, and is best served slightly on the warmer side to take in the outstanding range of flavors. Pink grapefruit zest, kiwi, gooseberry and stony minerals all come together on the palate. A stunning new wine, this is drinking marvelously now and will continue to cellar well based on its combination of weight and finesse. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Maple Grove’ Chardonnay- This outstanding new Chardonnay comes from the Maple Grove Vineyard which is a 655-acre former Christmas-tree farm located southwest of Monmouth, Oregon. This is very fresh and nicely textured with lemon rind, green melon and cashew nut flavors alongside salty undertones on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir- Smooth and polished, the 2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir shows off tart cranberry, guava and reed raspberry fruits alongside freshly tilled soils and shades of pomegranate seed with blood orange zest. Very fruity and lithe, this is outstanding Pinot Noir that has only started to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2035- 93