Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge 2022

TESSELAARSDAL WINES

Pinot Noir Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
2022

  • Sustainable
Product code
847967
Format
6 x 750ml
Listing type
Open
Status
Available
Type of product
Still wine
Country
South Africa
Regulated designation
Wine of origin (WO)
Region
Western Cape
Subregion
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Varietal(s)
Pinot Noir 100 %
Colour
Red
Closure type
Cork
Producer's website
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About this winery

Tesselaarsdal, owned and operated by Berene Sauls is named after the small village where she grew up. Tesselaarsdal is situated 24 km North East of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus in the Overberg region. The village has a unique history, East India Company settler Johannes Tesselaar, left his land to his freed slaves to farm upon his death in 1810. After working at Hamilton Russell vineyards in various roles for 15 years, Anthony Hamilton Russell offered to assist Berene in starting her own...

See the TESSELAARSDAL WINES detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The 2022 growing season was almost a week later than usual for Pinot Noir from the vineyards of La Vierge Babylon in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The average maximum temperatures for the months leading up to, and during harvest, was almost a degree higher than the long-term average of 25°C. The ripening was slow and extended with the harvest being complete second week March. Winter saw the most rainfall since the maiden vintage of 2015, followed by a dry spring which made for even and healthy budding. This vintage delivered beautiful, pure fruit wines.

Tasting notes

The 2021 Pinot Noir classically displays the pristine fruit from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Revealing notes of red cherries, cranberries and raspberries combined with hints of nutmeg and clove spices. Elegant and age-worthy wine.

Press reviews

Winemag.co.za

- 95 points -

Christian Eedes, January 2023 (Vintage 2022)

The recently released 2022 vintage is again from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge vineyards farmed by La Vierge with maturation lasting nine and a half months in 228-litre barrels of which 33% were new. 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.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 93 points -

Tim Atkin MW, September 2023 (Vintage 2022)

First made in 2015, Berene Sauls' Pinot Noir has developed a reputation for consistently high quality. One of several top reds that employs grapes from La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, it includes 10% whole bunches, adding a spicy top note to a palate of raspberry, plum and pomegranate and savoury tannins.

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Vinous

- 93 points -

August 2023 (Vintage 2022)

The 2022 Pinot Noir includes 10% whole bunches, some fruit stomped by foot Berenice Sauls herself, spontaneously fermented, and aged in French oak for almost ten months. It has a very precise bouquet with fragrant dark cherry and sous-bois aromas, very Côte de Beaune in style. The medium-bodied palate has fine tannins, is very harmonious, and has lovely sapidity with a tensile finish. Maybe Berene Saul's best Pinot so far - chapeau!

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