Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir

9.0454 ratings
9.184 pro ratings
Walker Bay , Cape South Coast, Western Cape, South Africa
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Matt Schwartz

High acidity and light bodied with bright red fruit flavors

High acidity and light bodied with bright red fruit flavors

Jun 14th, 2026
Lyn Farmer

A pristine Pinot Noir with great varietal character, incisive acidity, precisely defined flavors and impeccable balance.
Red cherry, red plum, red currant, black tea, violet, forest floor, dried orange peel. Low velvet tannins and a very long finish. Wonderful.

A pristine Pinot Noir with great varietal character, incisive acidity, precisely defined flavors and impeccable balance.
Red cherry, red plum, red currant, black tea, violet, forest floor, dried orange peel. Low velvet tannins and a very long finish. Wonderful.

Dec 11th, 2022
Sipping Fine Wine

After majority of estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 PN marks the return of Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Ruby with aromas of red fruits, berries and earthy herb spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry, notes of tea, good balance with lively acidity. Soft firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy herb character. Nice!

After majority of estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes were rejected in 2019 due to wildfires, the 2020 PN marks the return of Hemel-En-Aarde Valley bottling. Ruby with aromas of red fruits, berries and earthy herb spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry, notes of tea, good balance with lively acidity. Soft firm tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy herb character. Nice!

Oct 31st, 2022
Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

This is why you come down to this region, the Pinot Noirs. They are Burgundian in style. Nice red and blue fruits with very gentle wood use and about 13% ABV. Quite enjoyable.

Photos of; the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

This is why you come down to this region, the Pinot Noirs. They are Burgundian in style. Nice red and blue fruits with very gentle wood use and about 13% ABV. Quite enjoyable.

Photos of; the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.

May 18th, 2019
Meg Herring

Smoke, camp fire, leather, and then some fruit flavors. Distinctly South African. Distinctly delicious. Note to self: Hamilton Russell becoming favorite S. African producer.

Smoke, camp fire, leather, and then some fruit flavors. Distinctly South African. Distinctly delicious. Note to self: Hamilton Russell becoming favorite S. African producer.

Aug 1st, 2018
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2015 - mocca, high acidity

Vintage 2015 - mocca, high acidity

Jan 6th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

First of the reds in our South African blind tasting. This is the benchmark Pinot Noir for South Africa made by Emul Ross. Light to medium garnet red with light bricking on the edges. A touch earthy and smokey on the nose with some cherries. Medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and light tannins (4.5/10). Light plus to medium bodied with some cherries, a little petrol and floral with raspberries and some meaty notes. Medium plus to long finish. Needed a solid decant to open up and was better when I sneaked a peek on day two. Drink from 2018 till 2025.

First of the reds in our South African blind tasting. This is the benchmark Pinot Noir for South Africa made by Emul Ross. Light to medium garnet red with light bricking on the edges. A touch earthy and smokey on the nose with some cherries. Medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and light tannins (4.5/10). Light plus to medium bodied with some cherries, a little petrol and floral with raspberries and some meaty notes. Medium plus to long finish. Needed a solid decant to open up and was better when I sneaked a peek on day two. Drink from 2018 till 2025.

Dec 2nd, 2017
Bryant Bickel

Serious Wine, the silkyness of Cali on the front with the terroir of Oregon on the back. a polished bing cherry, with lovely forest floor notes, well balanced truly a beauty

Serious Wine, the silkyness of Cali on the front with the terroir of Oregon on the back. a polished bing cherry, with lovely forest floor notes, well balanced truly a beauty

3 people found it helpfulJul 6th, 2014
Adam Crane

2010. Fabulous!

2010. Fabulous!

2 people found it helpfulAug 14th, 2014
Marc Glassberg

Sommelier Cellar Master Consulting

1992

1992

1 person found it helpfulSep 20th, 2013