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Pinot noir

Our low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of well under 35 hl/ha and our philosophy of expressing our terroir in our wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of our Pinot noir. Our Pinot noir is not overtly fruity, soft and "sweet" and it generally shows hints of that alluring savoury "primal" character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.

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Latest vintage available online via Port2Port.

  • Soil: Low-vigour, stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil

 

  • Alcohol: 12.75%
  • Acid: 5.47 g/l
  • pH: 3.68
  • Residual Sugar: 2.10 g/l

 

  • Barrel Ageing: 10 Months

 

  • Wooding: 100% 228 litre French Oak Barrels
  • Tight Grain: 100%

 

  • 1st fill: 32%
  • 2nd fill: 35%
  • 3rd fill: 29%
  • 4th fill:  4%

 

  • Hamilton Russell Vineyards Toast

 

  • French Coopers: Francois Freres 100%

 

  • Yield: 2.18 tons/ha, 13.73 hl/ha
  • Production: 2330 cases of 12 bottles equivalent

 

  • Release date – March 2025

 

  • Vegan Friendly

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Growing Season

The “once in many lifetimes” Cape Storm of September 24th and 25th, 2023, with extreme wind speeds from the south, significantly compromised flowering, particularly in our Chardonnay, resulting in record low yields. The extremely high rainfall created conditions which meant 2024 was a vintage with unusually high disease pressure right up to the completion of harvest. At 25.05 centigrade for the average maximum temperatures for Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, 2024 was a touch warmer than the particularly cool 2023. Uneven berry size – not necessarily a bad thing – was another consequence of high wind and rain during flowering. Harvest was earlier than average and 9 days earlier than 2023. The resulting wines have lighter than usual alcohols, with a beautiful fruit purity and balance. Our skilled team nursed wines of great beauty out of a challenging vintage.

95 Points - Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2025 Report

94 Points - Decanter

94 Points - Platter's 2026 South African Wine Guide

95 Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2025 Special Report

Continuing the move towards great elegance in the Hamilton Russell Pinot Noirs, despite the
very low yields of the 2024 vintage, this is a scented, stylish cuvée of clones 113, 115 and 667
from Emul Ross. Perfumed, textured and comparatively approachable, it has scented 32%
new wood, pomegranate and black cherry flavours, savoury tannins and impressive palate
length.

94 Decanter, July 2025

The dramatic Cape Storm of 23/24 September resulted in reduced yields following uneven flowering, although the overall season was a little warmer than the cool 2023. Yet despite all the challenges this Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir has lovely spicy notes, combined with fruit ripeness, richness and very fine tannins. Long, lingering aftertaste. High class. Great Aromas.

92 Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, April 2026

Fragrant with notes of chopped rosemary, mace, and crushed gravel, this layered red offers dark fruit elements of macerated black cherry, black raspberry, and plum. Fresh, finely detailed and framed by taut tannins, with sweet fruit and red licorice accents through the finish.

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