94 points, Tim Atkin MW
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91 points, Vinous
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About the Wine
Critic Reviews
94 points, Tim Atkin MW
91 points, Vinous
“Made by Emul Ross, one of the best young winemakers in South Africa, this is the seventh vintage of Berene Sauls' impressive Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir. Perfumed and enticing, it's a pale, elegant, ethereal style of Pinot Noir, with wild strawberry and pomegranate flavors, one one-third new oak, and 10% whole bunches. 2023-20258.)
91 points, Vinous
“The 2021 Pinot Noir comes from unirrigated vines from La Vierge estate cropped at six tons/ha. It has a bright and vivid bouquet of red cherries and crushed strawberries, light sous-bois scents percolating through. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation, red cherries, bergamot, and rooibos, quite tender and persistent on the finish. Lovely.”
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.
