93 points, Vinous
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93 points, Tim Atkin MW
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90 points, Wine Spectator
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16.5/20 points, Jancis Robinson MW
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About the Wine
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Critic Reviews
93 points, Tim Atkin MW
93 points, Vinous
90 points, Wine Spectator
16.5/20 points, Jancis Robinson MW
"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. 2024-29"
93 points, Vinous
"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!"
90 points, Wine Spectator
"An elegant red, with a delicate, herbal overtone, boasting ripe and juicy black cherry and black raspberry fruit. It gains depth from an underpinning of smoke, zesty ground white pepper, and anise, while creamy tannins define the finish. Drink now through 2026. 250 cases made, 175 cases imported."
16.5/20 points, Jancis Robinson MW
"100% Pinot Noir – 100% unirrigated La Vierge Vineyards. 100% 228-litre French oak barrels (1st: 33%, 2nd: 23%, 3rd: 23%, 4th: 21%) for 9.5 months. Bright crimson. Very satisfying, quite evolved Pinot nose. Just a hint of something vegy on the finish. But a nose to lose yourself in. Quite firm, fine tannins. Not a one-day wonder. 13% Drink 2023 – 2027"
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About The Winery
Berene Sauls has exceeded all expectations with Tesselaarsdal. In more than one respect, Tesselaarsdal is a breakthrough. Formerly employed by Hamilton Russell Estates and mentored by Anthony Hamilton Russell, not only is Tesselaarsdal the first wine project for Berene, but importantly it is the first wine project wholly-owned by a member of a 'previously disadvantaged community' in the Hemel-en-Aarde area and, indeed, the Overstrand. The wine is named after the historic rural hamlet Tesselaarsdal, not far from Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, where Berene was born. It was at Tesselaarsdal where Berene's ancestors once lived as freed slaves on land bequeathed to them in 1810 by former East India Company Settler, Johannes Tesselaar. The naming of her first wine appropriately honors her roots. Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay continue the legacy of the Sauls and the Tesselaarsdal farm.
