2023 Tesselaarsdal, Pinot Noir, South Africa

93 points, Tim Atkin MW
"Berene Sauls sources her ambitious Pinot Noir from La Vierge's farm on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, using Emul Ross of Hamilton Russell Vineyards as her winemaker. The nose has appealing ginger spice, rose petal and vanilla aromas, complementing a succulent, savoury palate of wild strawberry and summer pudding supported by refreshing acidity. 2024-28"

92 points, James Suckling
"Raw mushrooms, cranberries, white pepper and cloves on the nose of this elegant pinot noir. It’s medium-bodied, lightly spicy and earthy, with fine, tight tannins. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold."

92 points, Vinous
"The 2023 Pinot Noir includes 10% whole bunch. It underwent a 24-hour cold soak, fermentation naturally and matured in mainly used François Frères barrels (26% new). Fortunately, this was picked before the rains. It has quite a seductive bouquet that takes time to unfold in the glass: brambly red fruit, undergrowth, hints of black olive and wilted rose petals. The complexity comes through nicely on the palate. It’s clean, well structured and elegant in style with a transparent finish. This represents another impressive Pinot Noir from winemaker Berene Sauls."

• 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.