Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir

Description

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir is a red wine from the Hemel en Aarde Valley region that is part of the coastal wine region of Walker Bay in the Western Cape.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is located just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus and is the most southerly wine estate in South Africa. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the best in the New World. The estate was founded by Tim Hamilton Russell, who purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa’s top cool climate wines from a selection of noble varieties. His son Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over in 1991 (finally buying the property in 1994), narrowed the range to Pinot noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate. As well as this estate, the company also owns nearby Southern Right and Ashbourne (one of the most prestigious Pinotages in the world).

Extensive soil research initiated in 1994 identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil as optimal for the individual, origin expressive style they aim for and all plantings have now been limited to this soil type. The terroir, cool maritime mesoclimate and naturally tiny yields give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of Pinot Noir.

The grapes for Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir are harvested by hand. After fermentation the wine is aged for a period of 10 months in 100% 228 litre, tight grain, French Oak Barrels from Francois Freres (31% first fill, 31% second fill, 30% third fill and 8% fourth fill) where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. The barrels used are tight grain and are sourced 100% from the Francois Freres cooperage. They barrels are “Hamilton Russell Vineyards Toast”.