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Local Event
Cost: $120 members, $135 guests
In 1975, Tim Hamilton-Russell (father of Anthony Hamilton-Russell) decided to settle in the Hemel-En-Aarde (heaven and earth) Valley. Tim was in search of a cool region where he could grow the great grapes of the Cote d’Or (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay) in South Africa. After extensive soil mapping of the area validated its potential, Tim proceeded to set up the initial vineyard plantings and Hamilton Russell Vineyards was created. At its creation, and for several many years, Hamilton Russell Vineyards was South Africa’s most southerly wine producer.
The Atlantic is nearby and cool sea breezes flow in through a series of connected valleys. Rainfall is generous and the soils are a mixture of shale, clay and sandstone with some decomposed granite. Growth in the area initially was slow but in the past two dozen years has seen a substantial burst with over two dozen wineries setting up or planting new vineyards. Many of the top South African wineries have now invested in this region including new wineries set up by three ex-Hamilton Russell winemakers. The region has also been subdivided into three sub regions; Valley, Upper Valley, and Ridge.
On multiple occasions in the past, we have featured tastings of Hamilton Russell Vineyards and its sister wineries, Ashbourne and Southern Right. This dinner features the wines of multiple additional wineries plus a diverse range of grapes. Each of our dinner wines are pricey, rarely available in our market, and have been sourced through private winery offers or exclusive Vintages offerings.
Join us as we explore the amazing potential of Hemel-En-Aarde.
Reception:
Mullineux Kloof Street Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
This wine has notes of sun ripened pears and wet granite. The palate has a vibrant acidity balanced by a soft, round texture and some pithy character. The wine has a fresh, mineral finish.
Dinner:
Ashbourne Sandstone White 2023 (Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay/Semillon)
The nose has attractive purity with lemon rind, orange pith and light leesy aromas. There is good complexity here. The palate is very well-balanced, with a fine, acidic spine. Good tension gently builds in the mouth with a very subtle lemongrass, wild peach-tinged finish lingering in the mouth.
Alheit Hemelrand Vine Garden 2020 (Chardonnay/Roussanne/Chenin/Verdelho/Muscat)
The wine gleams in the glass, a lovely straw colour. The nose is exotic, showing stone fruit and talcum, lemon rind and baking spice. The wine has an absolutely towering presence on the palate, robust flavours cut through by rapier acidity. A very invigorating drink.
Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022
Crisp and appealing, with a lightly chalky texture carrying well-meshed flavors of ripe Gala apple, slivered almond, pickled ginger and stony mineral. Clean-cut finish, with a waft of white blossoms.
Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir 2022
The nose shows top notes of musk and violets before red and black cherry, earth, pomegranate and spice while the palate has great fruit definition, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish remarkably dry. With good depth of flavour but also plenty of verve, this is dead sexy.
Cap Maritime Pinot Noir 2020
The nose is intense and inviting with an array of pure, rich forest fruit, perfume, and subtle whiffs of exotic spice. Aromas of youngberries, mulberries, brambles, morello cherry, rose petals, red liquorice, and smokiness contribute to a wonderfully complex nose. The palate offers concentration and generous flavours of damson, black cherries, espresso, cinnamon, and star anise. The wine is medium-bodied, brooding and richly textured, with seamless, very fine-grained, plush tannins
Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2020 (Sangiovese/Nebbiolo/Barbera/Shiraz/Pinot Noir/Mourvedre)
A thought-provokingly unique blend. Dried violet, iron oxide and earthy forest growth accent a firm and well defined tannin. Focussed and meaty textures leaves a lasting impression of effortless weight. Reserved, yet boasting fine intensity and exciting length, hints at rewarding potential lying in wait.
Starter:
Bread and Butter
Seafood Bisque
Entree:
Duck Confit
Lentil Pilaf, Braised Red Cabbage, French Beans,
Duck Jus
Dessert:
Dark Chocolate Espresso Semi Fredo
Candied Pecans
(Gluten Free)
Coffee & Tea
Hosted by
South African Wine Society
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