Professional Wine photos by Shooting Range

Salutations to our more than 16 000 discerning and
loyal subscribers & more than 140 000 monthly visitors on INFO HERMANUS & NOSY ROSY

Hamilton Russell 

We have finally received our next 9 small 160 liter stoneware amphorae for the 2012 Chardonnay harvest. This follows research we initiated in 2005 into the benefits of fermenting and ageing a portion of our Chardonnay in clay vessels instead of oak. It took us some time to find a South African potter able to produce these for us. An additional 9 amphorae have been commissioned for the 2013 harvest.

These small stoneware amphorae have been designed to deliver the same amount of “air-exchange” as a barrel but without (clearly) imparting wood tannin, oak flavour or flavours from the toasting. They are each lined with clay from our property before firing.

These amphorae are perfect for our oldest Chardonnay vineyards, where even at extremely low yields, the grapes ripen at much lower alcohols – 12% and even below. These vineyards produce wines that are all too easily overwhelmed by newer wood, or lack vibrant freshness in older wood. The lower alcohol wines from the amphorae are wines of great beauty, finesse and freshness, with remarkable density given the alcohol levels.

It is our intention that the amphorae fermented and aged Chardonnay component eventually makes up around 10% of Hamilton Russell vineyards Chardonnay. Our Chardonnay has been doing extremely well locally and internationally, but we are always looking for new ways to refine and “improve” our wines further. It is wonderful to see this long-standing initiative finally producing quality results.

We were really pleased when a recent (Feb 1st, 2012) Wine Spectator Insider, reviewing a number of South African white wines, gave our 2010 Chardonnay the highest score – a 93 – and included it in their list of Hot Wines. These are the most exciting discoveries from their editors’ most recent tastings. This makes our 9th consecutive Chardonnay score over ninety – or Outstanding.

This is how Senior editor at the Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, describes our 2010 Chardonnay - “Lush and inviting, with layers of fig, persimmon, mango and creamed Jonagold apple fruit, all supported by finely beaded acidity that lends definition and length to the finish. More cut and length than just weight in the end.”

Well known South African sommelier, Miguel Chan, also liked our 2010 Chardonnay and scored it 94+ saying that it was “without a doubt one of the world’s top 25 Chardonnays, including top Burgundies.” The panel of French judges at the 14th Classic Trophy Awards rated our 2010 highly as well, giving it the trophy for best white wine.

We hope you are enjoying our beautiful Chardonnay 2011 (our 30th vintage) which was released in December last year.

All the best and thank you for your ongoing support of Hamilton Russell Vineyards – it is much appreciated!

Regards

Anthony Hamilton Russell

Hornbill House Garagiste Pinotage launch.
Beyers Truter, John Dry, Marianne de Klerk and Jono Dry. www.hornbillhouse.co.za

Bot River Wineries let their hair down !



One thing we know for sure that serious wines need cool-headed wine makers who also know how to take a much needed break in the harvest chaos and let their hair down with a chilled glass of Bot River Chenin , the grape that keeps us all talking in the valley to reminisce the time when life will be less frenzied again!


Last week’s gathering was just this, tired , grape stained winemakers arrived with mutterings and mentions of heat, early morning rising and harvest updates all to unwind when handed glasses of chilled wine and the promise of food cooked with passion knowing that a good wine maker needs a full belly and happy heart to make good wine!


Harvest Reports to date are that crops are coming in earlier and lighter in tonnage but are of better quality than last year, our first grapes picked this year from the Bot River ward was the Verdelho from Feiteiras Vineyards. Most of the producers have finished picking their white varietals. With the lowest recorded rainfall in the last 25 years the red varietals berries are smaller this year but showing a lot of flavour and colour.



Harvesting brings out hidden characteristics in winemakers, some go quiet, some develop traits of sudden outbursts ; our boys have decided growing beards is their way to venerate this busy time of year for them.

Not only have they dedicated to growing tufts of hair on their face as a group; they are also doing it for charity, the in-house competition ends on the 6th of April and money raised from entering will go to the Bot River Education Foundation.

We raise a glass to the 2011 harvest, hope you enjoy our vintages to come!
 

STANFORD WINES

                 HANLIE ALLAN DESIGN 082 56 462 56

MISTY MOUNTAINS
Tel: +27 28 341 0486 Fax: +27 28 341 0561
E mail: info@mistymountains.co.za
www.mistymountains.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Friday 09h00 - 17h00
Sat 10h00 - 14h00. Closed on Sundays.

ROBERT STANFORD ESTATE
Tel: +27 28 341 0441
E mail: wines@robertstanfordestate.co.za
www.robertstanfordestate.co.za
TASTING & SALES: 09h00 – 16h00

STANFORD HILLS
Tel: +27 28 341 0841 Fax: +27 28 341 0286
E mail: info@stanfordhills.co.za www.stanfordhills.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Friday by appointment.

WALKER BAY - BIRKENHEAD
Tel: +27 28 341 0183 Fax: +27 28 341 0196
E mail: info@birkenhead.co.za
www.birkenhead.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Sundays from 11h00 -17h00.

RAKA WINES
Tel +27 28 341 0676 Fax +27 28 341 0676
E mail: info@rakawine.co.za www.rakawine.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Friday 09h00 - 17h00
Sat & public holidays: 10h00 - 15h00. Closed on Sundays,
Christmas Day and Good Friday .

BOSCHRIVIER
Tel +27 28 341 0630 Cell: 076 7360351, 072 6096396
E mail: drnjtdevilliers@mweb.co.za
www.boschrivier.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Friday 08h00 - 17h00
Sat: 9h00 - 17h00.Closed on Sundays.School holidays: Sundays
11h00-16h00 Public holidays 9h00 -17h00.

BRUNIA WINES
Tel: 082 7837257 082 5524033
E mail: info@bruniawines.co.za www.bruniawines.co.za
TASTING & SALES: Friday - Sunday 10h00 – 16h00. School
holidays, Tuesday - Sunday. 10h00 – 16h00. All public holidays
except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.Open from 1 Dec 2010.

VAALVLEI
Tel:+27 28 341 0170 Cell: 072 7823431
E mail: info@vaalvlei.co.za
www.vaalvlei.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Monday to Friday 09h00 -17h00
Sat: 10h00 - 15h00. Closed on Sundays.

SPRINGFONTEIN WINE ESTATE
Tel: +27 28 341 0651 Fax: +27 28 341 0571
After hours cell: 072 371 7546
E mail: marketing@springfontein.co.za
www.springfontein.co.za
TASTING & SALES: Monday to Friday: 10h00 to 16h00
Saturday: 10h00 to 13h00 by appointment only. Sundays: Closed

Sea-aged Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc now available !


Nosy Rosy was invited to attend the "dive-out" of the sea aged wine at the New Harbour and to taste the sea-aged and cellar-aged wines at a lunch hosted by Energy - beautiful - ball Olive and her husband Anthony Hamilton Russell and the uhm-ing and ah-ing sounds of approval filled the room! The sea-aged wine was lighter in colour and fresher, fuller & accompanied the oysters and Sushi like a silk glove over a well manicured hand! De-Vine !

After ageing for nearly 2 years under the pressure of 9 m of chilling waters of the Hermanus New Harbour, 425 bottles of the 2004 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc celebrates the tenth vintage. The Marine Mother nature habitat lovingly 'decoupaged' the bottles with tiny shells, barnacles & seaweed. (All I want for Christmas...!!! ... i dont care for front teeth no more ! )

The founder of Southern Right, Anthony Hamilton Russell, said “I wanted to make the point that good South African Sauvignon Blanc can age really well and at the same time test the theory that ageing wine under the sea slows down the ageing process. There was a certain symbolism in using our 10th anniversary vintage to make this point and we enjoy the fact that the bottles were aged in the same bay that hosts the Southern Right whales the wine is named after.”

With his almost boyishly frank and inspiring charm, Anthony spoke enthusiastically about the roles factors such as vibrations, energy, music, pressure and obviously light and temperature may play in the maturing of wine. Nosy Rosy felt oh so at home - and honoured!
He also said “Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc is sold in more than 25 countries and the bottles carry the message of Hermanus and its Southern Right whales around the world. We are proud of our close ties to Hermanus and the small role we play in drawing attention to what is probably the world’s best shoreline whale watching.”
"Small Role! ? " Modesty must be easier for gentle giants !
More about the Hamilton Russells by Nosy Rosy hrv@hermanus.co.za +27 28 312-3595
The following people play a major role in this legendary project:
Edward May - Harbour Master
Jurie Schuurman - Jurden Projects - Design & manufacture of the steel cage.
Aron de Gouveia - Scuba Africa - Responsible for the 'dive-out' of the wine.
Shaun Alcock - Southern Right Charters - A portion of his space in the Harbour is the home for the aging process.
Nosy Rosy Salutes all the momentous efforts of Hermanus Businesses helping one another and standing together....more

Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." ~ Ernest Hemingway
"Good wine is a necessity of life for me." ~ Thomas Jefferson
"Beer is made by men, wine by God." ~ Martin Luther
"Come quickly! I am tasting stars!" ~ Dom Perignon upon tasting Champagne for the first time.
"Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil." ~ Lord Byron
"Wine.The intellectual part of the meal." ~ Alexandre Dumas
"If food is the body of good living, wine is its soul." ~ Clifton Fadiman
"A bottle of good wine, like a good act, shines ever in the retrospect." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
"The wine cup is the little silver well, where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell. ~ William Shakespeare
"A man fallen on hard times sold his art collection but kept his wine cellar. When asked why he did not sell his wine, he said, "A man can live without art, but not without culture." ~ Anonymous
"Hardly did it appear, than from my mouth it passed into my heart." ~ Abbe de Challieu after his first taste of Champagne.
"My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne." ~ John Maynard Keynes
"Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep well, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved." ~ Medieval German saying.
"In wine there is truth." ~ Pliny the Elder
"Compromises are for relationships, not wine." ~ Sir Robert Scott Caywood
"Pour out the wine without restraint or stay. Pour not by cups, but by the bellyful. Pour out to all that will." ~ Edmund Spenser
"A man not old, but mellow, like good wine." ~ Stephen Phillips
"And Noah, he often said to his wife when he sat down to dine, 'I don't care where the water goes if it doesn't get into the wine.'" ~ G.K. Chesterton
"If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?" ~ Cardinal Richeleu
"Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages." ~ Louis Pasteur
"What though youth gave love and roses, age still leaves us friends and wine." ~ Thomas Moore
"I'm only a beer teetotaler, not a champagne teetotaler. I don't like beer." ~ George Bernard Shaw
"Give me wine to wash me clean of the weather-stains of care." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"…then the streams would run with wine instead of water and the whole forest would give itself up to jollification for weeks on end." ~ C. S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  

 

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