2016 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir

The 2016 Pinot Noir is the latest release from the estate for 2017. It was the second organic vintage in an initially dry season, rain towards the end. It has low conversion rate of alcohol compared to the 2015, the final figure 13.87%. "It was a challenging vintage," commented Anthony Hamilton-Russell, "due to oidium scares. Stylistically, I don`t think it will have the same mass appeal as the 2015." It has a tightly wound bouquet with certainly darker fruit than the 2015, a touch of fennel and cooked Italian meat in the background. The palate is well balanced with sappy red berry fruit, more structured than the 2014 with a dash of black pepper on the linear finish. It deserves 3-4 years in bottle. 91 points