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A true Grand Cru of South Africa, from a winery very close to the sea. That means ocean cooled fruit and in this wine, great finesse and balance. Fermented and aged in French oak, it combines mineral zip with ripe fruit and spice. "Phenomemal" (MJ).
Tasting notes
Rich ripe fruit and oak spice cut through by citrus laced minerality
Aroma
Pear, ripe apricot, lime and spiced oak and toasty vanilla
Allergy information
Contains sulphites
More information
Founded in 1975, this iconic estate is a renowned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist. It took founder Tim Russell years of research to discover the best site to plant his first vines. He bought a 170 hectare plot next to Hermanus, by the sea, in the Hemel en Aarde (heaven on earth appropriately) subregion of Walker Bay. His son, Anthony, took over in 1991 and narrowed the estate plantings down to the two Burgundy grapes. Their philosophy is well summed up by Anthony's words: "we are using Pinot noir and Chardonnay to express the beauty and personality of Hamilton Russell Vineyards" - like Burgundy, the wines very much express their terroir. Fermented in a third new French oak and aged in barrel for 9 months, this is a fine, complex white.