Hamilton Russell Vineyards Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir 2024

Bright ruby. A wine of intensity, volume and presence; powerfully savoury and mineral with a top note of perfumed raspberries. Dark, crunchy fruit – both red and black – infused with red meat and wet-stone umami notes on the palate and sustained by creamy, chalky tannins that give a firm, structural framework. The acidity has ‘sweetness’ and energy, and the oak is subtle (55% blonde – essentially untoasted – a significant component in all vintages from around 2011). Even tinier yields than usual: 14.67hl/ha. Anthony says it’s ‘a more Hamilton Russell vintage’ than the more respected 2017.