Anthony Hamilton Russell is one of the most famous names in the South African winemaking game. For well over 30 years, Anthony and his family have been producing wines that have helped to establish South Africa as one of the great wine-producing regions of the world. They focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir under their eponymous label and they absolutely KILL IT every time. 

Today's wine is from the Hemel-En-Aarde Valley; its cool climate and clay-rich soils work magic with the pinot noir varietal.  Check out the press!

96 points, Decanter:
"Anthony Hamilton Russell views this as perhaps his finest Pinot Noir to date. 2021 was a cooler, later vintage (only 2001, 2004 and 2008 have been cooler in the past 25 years). It shows concentrated red berry fruit and sweet and spicy notes on the palate with velvety tannins and structure for the long haul. Aged 10 months in François Frères barriques. Still ultra-youthful, it needs two or three years but will keep several decades."

94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Opening with delightful red fruit essences that lift from the glass, the 2021 Pinot Noir is fresh, vibrant, and lively with expressive, dusty florals and a juicy frame of cherries and raspberries. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the palate offers succulent acidity with fine-grained tannins. This pinot noir delivers a fantastic crystalline purity that has me coming back for more. The finish is still tight and will benefit from another year in the bottle, but don’t be too hasty to open this gorgeous pinot.

93 points, James Suckling:
"Aromas of cherries and wild strawberries with dried herbs, paprika, citrus rind, and stones. Medium-bodied with a round texture. Refined and delicate pinot with juicy character, impressive tension, and length. Lingering finish with notes of nutshell and spices. Sustainable."

ABV: 13.5%