Southern Right new releases

Anthony Hamilton Russell, also owner of Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Ashbourne, founded Southern Right in 1994, a 448ha property on the western border of HRV purchased as the long-term brand home in 2005. The focus has always been on only two wines, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinotage. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Price: R165
Origin of grapes: 47% Walker Bay, 43% Hemel-en-Aarde and 10% Elgin. 10% fermented in neutral barrel. The nose is very appealing with notes of lime, blackcurrant, fresh herbs and some flinty reduction while the palate has a pleasing tension about it with great clarity of fruit, snappy acidity and a pithy finish. Total production: 174 000 bottles.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Southern Right Pinotage 2021
Price: R380
Origin of grapes: 61% Overberg, 26% Swartland and 13% Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Matured for nine months in a combination of 228- and 400-litre barrels, 12% new. Charming aromatics of rose, musk, cranberry and cherry while the palate is wonderfully pure and energetic – clearly defined fruit and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Total production: 34 800 bottles.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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