Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a renowned wine region situated near Hermanus in the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This valley benefits from a cool maritime climate due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which helps moderate temperatures and extend the growing season. The climate is ideal for cultivating Chardonnay, as it allows for slow and even ripening, which enhances the wine's complexity and natural acidity.

The soil in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is characterized by low-vigour, stony, clay-rich, and iron-rich, shale-derived soils. These soils are perfect for viticulture, offering excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to support the vines during dry periods.

The unique soil composition, combined with the valley's cool climate, ensures that the vines produce low yields of high-quality grapes, essential for creating expressive and refined wines like Hamilton Russell Chardonnay.

Winemaking

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay  is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, from vineyard management to the final bottling. The growing season presented challenges, including uneven bud-break and one of the lowest yields in a decade due to fewer winter cold units. Despite these challenges, careful triage and multiple passes through the vineyards ensured the selection of the best fruit.

The wine is fermented and aged in 300-liter French oak barrels for 9 months. The oak barrels, sourced from Francois Freres, are 100% tight-grain with specific toasting developed by Hamilton Russell Vineyards. The barrel composition includes 24% first fill, 32% second fill, 24% third fill, and 20% older oak. This barrel aging process enhances the wine's texture and complexity without overpowering the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright, clear straw yellow
• Aroma: Prominent aromas of pear and lime, with a subtle minerality.
• Palate: Tight and minerally with a bright natural acidity. Flavors of pear and lime are focused and persistent, leading to a long, dry, and elegant finish. The wine is textured and intense, reflecting both the place and the vintage.

Did You Know?

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is one of the most southerly wine estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea. The estate is renowned for producing wines that express the unique terroir of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery's commitment to low yields and careful vineyard management ensures that each bottle captures the distinctive characteristics of the region.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled Seafood: The bright acidity and minerality of the Chardonnay complement the rich, savory flavors of grilled seafood, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Roast Chicken with Herbs: The wine's complexity and acidity cut through the richness of roast chicken, while the herbal notes in the dish highlight the wine's pear and lime flavors.
• Goat Cheese Salad: The tangy, creamy goat cheese pairs beautifully with the wine's bright acidity and focused fruit character, creating a harmonious and refreshing combination.
• Lemon Risotto: The creamy texture and citrus flavors of the risotto match well with the Chardonnay's vibrant acidity and minerality, making for an elegant pairing.

History of Hamilton Russell

The estate was founded in 1975 by Tim Hamilton Russell, who acquired a 172-hectare (425-acre) tract of undeveloped land after a meticulous search for the ideal cool-climate site in South Africa. From the beginning, the goal was to produce world-class wines from noble varieties in a style more akin to Burgundy than to the New World.

In 1991, his son Anthony Hamilton Russell took over the reins and, by 1994, had purchased the estate outright. He made a decisive move by narrowing the varietal focus to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, believing these two grapes were best suited to the cool, clay-rich soils and coastal climate. A detailed soil study in 1994 identified 52 hectares of iron-rich, stony, shale-derived soils that now form the exclusive foundation for all future plantings.

Today, Anthony Hamilton Russell, alongside winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, continues to craft wines that reflect the purest expression of their origin. The estate is certified sustainable, farms organically, and is recognized as a WWF Conservation Champion.

Region and Vineyards

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a cool maritime ward within South Africa’s Walker Bay District. "Hemel-en-Aarde" translates from Afrikaans to “Heaven on Earth”, and its three nested appellations (Valley, Upper Valley, and Ridge) have become the epicenter of South African Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The estate lies closest to the South Atlantic Ocean, benefitting from strong cooling winds, low vigour soils, and iron-rich clay that provide excellent water retention. These conditions ensure a long growing season, promoting freshness, elegance, and complexity in the wines. The estate’s tiny yields—typically less than 3 tons per acre—enhance concentration and site expression.

Wine Range of Hamilton Russell Vineyards

The estate produces only two wines, both of which have earned a global reputation for their distinctiveness, elegance, and depth.

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay is tight and mineral, with classic length and restrained fruit expression. Aromas of pear and lime are sharpened by bright natural acidity and a saline, dry mineral finish. It combines elegance and texture in a style that echoes great Burgundian whites while remaining true to its South African identity.

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir is known for its balance of structure and generosity, with notes of dark cherry, spice, earth, and a characteristic savoury, primal edge. Unlike many New World Pinot Noirs, it avoids overt fruitiness, favouring a tannic backbone, length, and a deep expression of place over sweetness or softness.

Both wines are produced in limited quantities, with high demand globally, and are widely regarded as benchmarks of South African cool-climate winemaking.

Did you know?

Hamilton Russell Vineyards was instrumental in the creation of the Hemel-en-Aarde’s official appellations, spearheaded by Anthony Hamilton Russell in the mid-2000s. The estate remains a key reference point for South African Pinot Noir and Chardonnay internationally.