Hamilton Russell, 'Southern Right' Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, 2024

Overview of the Wine
One of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa, this Pinot noir and Chardonnay specialist pioneered viticulture in the beautiful, cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the finest in the New World.

Founder, Tim Hamilton Russell, purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa’s top cool climate wines from a selection of noble varieties.     

His son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over in 1991 (finally buying the business in 1994), narrowed the range to Pinot noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committing to work only with grapes from their terroir.

Anthony with his wife Olive, winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery are completely dedicated to expressing the personality of the Hamilton Russell Vineyards terroir in their wines.

Tiny yields and intense worldwide demand keep the elegant, highly individual, Estate grown Pinot noir and Chardonnay in very short supply.

Click here to watch our Youtube video with the winemaker!

Winemaker
Emul Ross

Grape / Blend
Sauvignon Blanc

Origin
South Africa

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Made in a way ensuring the personality of site and soil is not over-ridden by the forceful character of the variety, this wine exhibits the typical Southern Right balance of tight "Old World" minerality and length with hints of "New World” texture and body. The 2024 is a wine that favours origin expressive individuality, minerality and palate complexity ahead of simple, pungent varietal aroma. A significant percentage of fruit from iron and clay-rich soil (46%) has added a textural and structural component and additional overall complexity to this wine. Granitic soils (28%) have added openness and perfume, while sandstone soils have contributed their typical bright, tensile character and a marked, saline minerality. This is Sauvignon blanc as fine wine, not Sauvignon blanc as simply a varietal expression.

92 Points - Tasting Panel
This winery is named for the rare southern right whales that frequent Walker Bay in May and December, to whose conservation it contributes. The vineyards are close to the Atlantic Ocean, and that shows in this wine's salty, seashell-like tonality. It expresses a delicate style through subtle notes of flint, white flowers, and lemon sorbet.

90 Points - Vinous
The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc comes from the clayey Cape Coast, plus granitic soils in Elgin, matured 8% in used oak and the rest in stainless steel. It has a well-defined bouquet with grapefruit, nettle, dandelion and subtle earthy scents. The palate is well balanced, crisp and linear, with fine delineation. Quite an elegant Sauvignon Blanc, it boasts a precise, sapid finish that urges you back for more. This is very well made and very delicious.

Product size: 750ml