Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2022

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Hamilton Russell
Pinot Noir 2022

Vintage : 2022
Country : South Africa
Region : Walker Bay
Subregion
Type : Red
Style Fruity Medium Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 13,8°
Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

Rank #29 in Wine Spectator Top 100 2014 !

Experts		Score	Vintage
JS	James Suckling	92	2022
WE	Wine Enthusiast	90	2021
RP	Robert Parker	92	2020
WS	Wine Spectator	90	2020
TA	Tim Atkin	95	2019
DCT	Decanter	92	2019
VN	Vinous (Antonio Galloni)	91	2019

More information on wine critics and ratings

Description
Reviews
From the same producer

Aromas of raspberry, cherry and plum fruit on the nose with subtle hints of oak develop into a deeper more complex, earthy, mushroom character with bottle age.

This Pinot noir is not overtly fruity and “sweet” but shows hints of that alluring savoury “primal” character along with dark, spicy, complex fruit flavours.

James Suckling (JS) : 92 Points (2022)

This is a sleek pinot with notes of cloves, cranberries, thyme and raw mushrooms. Hints of iron. Medium-bodied, savory and nicely balanced, with fine-grained tannins.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 90 Points (2021)

Light herbaceous notes complement the cherry aromas of this delicate red. Fine tannins and moderate acidity provide a smooth mouthfeel. Well-balanced flavors of chocolate, cherry and herbs show on the bright palate and linger in the medium finish.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2020)

After the majority of the estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 Pinot Noir marks the return of the Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Initially opening to aromas similar to that of somewhere between the Willamette Valley and Burgundy, the nose is earthy with a slightly rustic appeal and fresh, red-fruited essence. Medium-bodied and beautifully layered, the mouthfeel is bright and food-friendly with succulent acidity and youthful tannins. The wine concludes with elements of raspberry skin, Bing cherry and red spiced tea. Rating:92+

Wine Spectator (WS) : 90 Points (2020)

A graceful Pinot framed by light, crisp tannins, and a delicate, herbal overtone accenting flavors of ripe red currant and raspberry fruit, Mandarin orange peel and anise. Bright and lingering on the minerally finish.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 95 Points (2019)

Made with 84% purchased fruit because of the fire in Hamilton Russell’s own vineyards, this is a cuvée of the three Hemel-en-Aarde Valley sub-regions, and all the better for it. A one-off it may be, but it’s less earthy and backward than the estate’s normal style, combining fragrance elegance with racy red berry fruit, some clove spice, supporting tannins and stylish oak.

Decanter (DCT) : 92 Points (2019)

Anthony Hamilton Russell hopes this will be a unique wine, being the only HR Pinot Noir to be made with bought-in grapes (generously sold to him by other high-quality producers) when fire hit the estate, with 84% of their own fruit affected. This is a blend of grapes from Upper Hemel-en-Aarde and the Ridge. Very approachable already, attractive red-fruits and a slight earthiness. A fine effort in trying circumstances. Labelled just Hamilton Russell, rather than Hamilton Russell Vineyards to distinguish. (AH) (3/2020)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 91 Points (2019)

The 2019 Pinot Noir is Walker Bay in terms of Wine of Origin rather than Hemel-en-Aarde, since much of their Pinot Noir was rejected after wildfires tainted the fruit. The majority of fruit was sourced from benevolent growers in the valley, and completely destemmed but not crushed, then matured in 24% new French oak. This has an open, quite herbal bouquet of vibrant red and black fruit, underlying sous-bois notes coming through with aeration. The well-balanced palate offers fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Open and expressive, with a pinch of black pepper on the cohesive finish. Given the trauma suffered this vintage, this should be considered a success, not least because it still seems to bear the imprimatur of Hamilton Russell. (NM) (4/2021)