Hamilton Russell Vineyards released their 30th vintage of Pinot Noir

Hamilton Russell Vineyards released their 30th vintage of Pinot Noir


Both the 30th vintage of Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot noir (2010) and 30th vintage of Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay (2011) are now released, from one of the “Great Growth” of South Africa

Winemaker Hannes Storm, believes 2010 Pinot Noir to be one of the Estate very best.

“The fruit profile is more pure, voluptuous and lifted than usual at this stage, partly a function of the increased percentage of the darkly perfumed Dijon clone 115 in the mix, and partly a function of the vintage and precision winemaking”

"The wine has a beautiful, vibrant, energetic, mineral core, with the usual fine tannins resulting from the high clay-content, iron-rich shale derived soils. A voluptuous coating and athletic structure."
"A characteristic for Hamilton Russell Vineyards"

Yields were low (as always) at only 31.8 hl/ha and the alcohol at 13.7% is right on the “sweet spot” for phenolic ripeness in a vintage with temperatures almost exactly equal to the long term average.