2017 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
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Tasting notes
On the nose, the 2017 Pinot Noir begins with a red-fruited core and has softer spice aromas from the oak. The palate is clean, clear and precise, with cranberry and red tea spices that linger with soft earth and a soft herbal edge. The finish is elegant and moderate in length, and the soft herbal tones lean toward a slightly stemmy edge now but will age well with time. I'd like to check in on this bottling in 2025. 46,908 bottles were made.
Critic scores
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Sickly, nappyish nose that I often get from this producer, as if it’s overripe. The structure is spot-on for the variety – light, refreshing, un-tannic – but the flavours seems very simple and a bit crude to me. (RH)
The 2017 Pinot Noir, which includes 12% whole bunches, matured for 10 months in 37% new oak (François Frères). It has a light red currant and cranberry bouquet with just a hint of rooibos in the background, the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin, crisp tart red cherry mixed with raspberry fruit and a nicely structured finish. Fine.