Hamilton Russel Hamel-en-Gaarde Pinot Noir 2024

"Emul Ross and proprietor Anthony Hamilton Russell are not afraid to make Pinot Noirs with structure and staying power, even in a wetter vintage like 2023. This has plenty of colour, lots of spicy François Frères oak, some underlying ferrous grip, savoury tannins and flavours of plum and black cherry. Substantial, but give it time. 2025-32"

"A tight, spicy and savory pinot noir that has aromas of herbal tea, citrus rind, rust, cranberries and wild mushrooms. It’s medium-bodied, firm and well framed. Long and focused. Try from 2025."

"This wine comes from a site with iron-rich soils, resulting in structure and savory aromas. Made with Dijon clones (113, 115, 667 and 777), the Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2023 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir has dark fruit (blackcurrant), grilled rosemary and a ferrous note of rusty nail. Clones with bigger clusters are used because the site tends to produce small bunches naturally. Anywhere from 10% to 15% whole-cluster fruit is used, depending on vintage. The wine undergoes a wild fermentation, and if the winemaking team does inoculate, they use yeast from the property. Cap management has changed over the years from twice daily punch-downs to a gentle approach resembling a tea infusion, with wine poured over the cap. There is a heavier note to this wine that is specific to this site and builds a robust fruit profile.2025-2035"