The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Anthony Hamilton Russell
May 11, 2022
White
2019 Hamilton Russell Oregon Chardonnay Maple Grove; Aroma: wants air, very deep and concentrated, light, well-integrated oak, nicely rich; Mouth: dense, very well balanced, bright apple pear, supple, precise, subdued excellent integration of mineral and oak notes into very deep fruit, classic apple-pear, long lightly oak inflected finish; Excellent$79; six bottles or more $68
2020 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay "decades-long a quality beacon, thoughtful terroir expression & vintage barometer. 2020 alluring pear, citrus & starfruit with minerals & bright natural acid. Complex, balanced, alcohol laudably below 13%.John Platter Guide $43; six bottles or more $37
2019 Ashbourne Sandstone "a fine asparagus and nettle bouquet, becoming quite tertiary with aeration. The Sémillon imparts a light melted wax scent. The palate offers light tropical scents of guava and pineapple, then reins it in toward the finish, where a light saline note comes through. Fine. Neal Martin, Vinous $25.99; six bottles or more $21.99
Red
2019 Hamilton Russell Oregon Pinot Noir Zena Crown; Aroma: heady and deep, starts full with a blast juicy black cherry, later settles to rose petal earth and flint; Mouth: clean, racy even, strong but not overbearing fruit over a nice structure, to drink now, but promises a long future evolution; Excellent - Outstanding $92; six bottles or more $79
2020 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir "the best young Pinot Noir release I've tasted from Hamilton Russell. Representing a subtle shift in style towards greater perfume and fruit, this is a detailed, finely judged blend of clones .., with svelte tannins, tidy acidity, rose petal top notes and skilfully integrated oak. Tim Atkin MW
"in a league of its own, surely the finest Pinot in all the Cape and nothing short of a grand cru if such a thing existed in South Africa. It's not just the wonderful fruit, nurtured by long, hot days and cooling sea breezes; it's the structure too. Like a fine Gevrey Chambertin it needs time but, goodness, it's a belter. The Spectator $53; six bottles or more $45
2018 Ashbourne Pinotage "Savoury & rich 2018 has alluring mulberry, brambleberry & tapenade wafts to match the lush, silky smooth tannins. Wholeberry fermented, portion with wild yeast, 40% new oak (barrels & foudres) for 10 months." Platter SA Guide $59; six bottles or more $50
This week mix any 6 or more bottles at the six or more price
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- Len Rothenberg
