92 pts Tim Atkin MW 2016 Emul Ross makes this impressive Pinot Noir for Hamilton Russell employee Berene Sauls, using fruit from La Vierge on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. It’s a focused, pepper spicy first release showing its cooler climate, with pithy acidity, gentle red berry fruit and subtle oak integration. Drink: 2016-20
94 pts Wineanorak.com 5/3/2016 – “13% alcohol. Aromatic and fine with lovely sweet red cherry fruit, white pepper and a hint of ginger on the nose. The palate is silky and fine with supple red cherry fruit. Such elegance, showing good structure and acidity. A brilliant debut vintage and it should age nicely, too.”
91 pts Winemag.co.za 2/1/2016 – “Tesselaarsdal is a new label belonging to longstanding Hamilton Russell Vineyards employee Berene Sauls, her first wine being a Pinot Noir 2015, grapes sourced from Mount Babylon in Hemel-enAarde Ridge and the wine made by HRV’s Emul Ross. Vinification involved one new barrel, one second fill and two third fill. The nose is still very primary but attractive even so: red fruit, some floral scent and a little spice. The palate, meanwhile, shows wonderfully pure fruit and good freshness – perhaps a bit slight for some but I like its clean lines very much.”