Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir Walker Bay 2007

Bold aromatic and ripe but very elegant with racy acidity providing the ground wire for the rich black cherry bramble incense and sweet earth notes followed by a long multifaceted finish. Drink now through 2013. 5 213 cases made.

Like a premature red Burgundy, showing lots of body and delicate and aged flavors. It has an exotic, toasty-spicy aroma, subtle cherry notes and lingering finish.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards concentrates on only two grape varieties - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - because they believe these are best suited for the terroir of Walker Bay, South Africa. It's ruby in color, with aromas of cherries and warm “winter” spices like vanilla and cinnamon.

Inviting nose of spice and red and black cherries. Firm but ripe on the palate, with a smoky, wood spice finish. A touch rustic, but solid. Drink now through 2003.

Bold, aromatic and ripe, but very elegant, with racy acidity providing the ground wire for the rich black cherry, bramble, incense and sweet earth notes, followed by a long, multifaceted finish. Drink now through 2013.

Located southeast of Capetown, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a recently recognized District of Origin (DO). Its cool coastal climate produces wines that are more elegant and acid-driven then those from other South African winegrowing regions. A cooler-than-average vintage in 2007 promoted even ripening of the Pinot Noir fruit, and winemaker Hannes Storm sourced grapes from eight separate parcels amid the estate's 135 acres of vines. The 2007 aged for 10 months in French oak barrels ranging from one to four years old.

Moderately saturated medium red. Complex, highly aromatic nose combines vibrant red berries, incense, cherry, flowers, spices, and a note of eucalyptus. Juicy and very intense but magically light on its feet; the pungent red berry and pepper flavors spread out to coat the palate without any impression of weight (where's the 14% alcohol?). This soil-driven wine is extremely young and should put on weight with four or five years of cellaring. Very distinctive and stylish pinot with fine-grained tannins and terrific finishing energy and perfume.