2020 Tesselaarsdal, Pinot Noir, South Africa

92 points, Vinous
“The 2020 Pinot Noir has a very attractive bouquet of brambly red berry fruit, red plums and raspberry preserve, beautifully defined and seamlessly integrated with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied, taut and fresh, with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a detailed, precise, slightly savory finish. Great structure and plenty of freshness here. Superb.”

91 points, James Suckling
“A meaty, smoky pinot with aromas of pomegranate, dried cranberry, smoke, baking spice, and charred bark. It’s medium-bodied with sleek tannins and bright acidity. Crunchy, savory, and flavorful. Sustainable. Drink now.”

90 points, Wine Spectator
"A fresh, medium-bodied red, with lush and inviting fig cake, tar-tinged smoke and warm spice notes, which are accented by hints of dried lavender and graphite and enlivened by juicy orange peel acidity. Drink now through 2027. 350 cases made, 125 cases imported."

• South Africa – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Walker Bay • Tesselaarsdal produces refined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, combining cool-climate finesse with a pioneering and inclusive vision in South African wine. Founded in 2015 by Berene Sauls, a protégé of Hamilton Russell, Tesselaarsdal represents one of the first Black female-owned wine brands in South Africa. The name pays homage to the hamlet of Tesselaarsdal where Berene was born, while the wines reflect her pioneering spirit and dedication to site expression. The estate focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, drawing fruit from unirrigated vineyards on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. This sub-zone sits at higher elevation than the Valley below and is defined by ancient Bokkeveld Shale-derived clay soils, maritime breezes from the nearby Atlantic, and sharp day-night temperature shifts. These conditions naturally limit yields, preserve acidity, and lend the wines precision, minerality, and freshness. The Ridge is known for producing finely structured, elegant wines with depth and tension, and Tesselaarsdal captures that signature in every vintage. The wines are elegant, pure, and finely tuned, showing balance and restraint alongside distinctive site character. More than just quality, Tesselaarsdal’s story symbolizes progress and inclusivity within South Africa’s wine industry, carrying forward a legacy that is both cultural and viticultural.