Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir
Walker Bay , Cape South Coast, Western Cape, South Africa
High acidity and light bodied with bright red fruit flavors
High acidity and light bodied with bright red fruit flavors
Jun 14th, 2026
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.
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
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.
This completed a vertical tasting of; 2017, 2016 & 2015.
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.
This completed a vertical tasting of; 2017, 2016 & 2015.
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, a bronze statue of Anthony’s father wearing Anthony’s hat. It was his father who founded Russell Hamilton back in 1975. He was also CEO of one of the largest US advertising agencies, JWT or J. Walter Thompson. Our tasting setup in the cellar 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, a bronze statue of Anthony’s father wearing Anthony’s hat. It was his father who founded Russell Hamilton back in 1975. He was also CEO of one of the largest US advertising agencies, JWT or J. Walter Thompson. Our tasting setup in the cellar and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.
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
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
Rustic, old-world, prehistoric almost. I've sat on this for 5 years in the hope that maturity would look with favor on this example. Alas, I may well be pushing up daisies before that comes around. My wife would throttle me if I opened this for her. A great SA producer has produced an impenetrable example.
It begs for food, which as @TheSkip would say, "is not a good sign."
Rustic, old-world, prehistoric almost. I've sat on this for 5 years in the hope that maturity would look with favor on this example. Alas, I may well be pushing up daisies before that comes around. My wife would throttle me if I opened this for her. A great SA producer has produced an impenetrable example.
It begs for food, which as @TheSkip would say, "is not a good sign."