Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2023

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2023

 

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Hamilton Russell
Chardonnay 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : South Africa
  • Region : Walker Bay
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,9°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay stands out with its distinct minerality and focused fruit character, offering a harmonious blend of pear and lime flavors elevated by a long, dry finish and bright acidity.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94 2022
JS James Suckling 93 2022
TA Tim Atkin 96 2021
DCT Decanter 94 2021
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 91 2021
WE Wine Enthusiast 90 2021
WS Wine Spectator 92 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

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 Vineyards

Founded in 1975 by Tim Hamilton Russell, the estate was later taken over by his son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, in 1991. Anthony focused exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, registering the vineyard as an estate and dedicating it to expressing its unique terroir.

Extensive soil research identified 130 acres of optimal, stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil for cultivation.

Region and Vineyards

Located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, part of the larger Walker Bay District, Hamilton Russell Vineyards benefits from a cool maritime climate. The soils are rich in iron and clay, contributing to the distinctive quality of the wines.

The estate practices sustainable farming, is certified organic, and is a World Wildlife Fund Conservation Champion.

Wine Range

Hamilton Russell Vineyards produces exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay:

Did you know?

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is dedicated to expressing the unique personality of its terroir, producing wines with tiny yields and intense worldwide demand, resulting in a limited supply of these highly sought-after wines.

For more information, visit the Hamilton Russell Vineyards official page.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2022)
Opening to a nose of bright lemon and peach yogurt with hints of banana, the 2022 Chardonnay is fresh and citrus-laden. Medium-bodied and with 13.2% alcohol, the palate is fresh, balanced and spicy with succulent apple essence before swinging to show an elegant floral notion that finishes fresh and complex. This Chardonnay was barrel fermented and aged in 23% new French oak.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2022)
This has a lovely nose of cedar, grapefruit, lemon rind, apricot stones and tarragon. Salted butter. It's medium- to full-bodied, deliciously saline and creamy, with a long and elegant finish.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 96 Points (2021)
Emul Ross describes the 2021 vintage in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley as "exceptional" and this refined, focused Chardonnay proves his point. Aniseed and subtle gunflint notes segue into a balanced, focused palate, with 15% malolactic adding a little cream to the flavours of pear, citrus peel and lemon grass. Classy stuff. 2023-29 (9/2022)

Decanter (DCT) : 94 Points (2021)
A very successful wine this vintage, with its mineral notes and finesse illustrating the cooler character of the vintage. Saline and creamy on the palate with fine integration of oak, peach and pear fruit and an intriguing lime zest note, all kept fresh and focussed with lingering, cleansing acidity. Give this a couple of years and then enjoy. (AH) (3/2022)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 91 Points (2021)
The 2021 Chardonnay is 100% whole bunch pressed with an 80% wild ferment and nine months on the lees (27% new oak from François Frères). It has a very perfumed bouquet with honeysuckle, grapefruit and light wild honey scents that is nicely supported by the oak. The palate is crisp on the entry with fine acidity. There is a fine sharpness to this Chardonnay, a twist of sour lemon and orange rind towards the finish and a saline aftertaste. This is very promising. (NM) (8/2022)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 90 Points (2021)
Aromas of cedar, butter and linden tea emerge from the glass. This is a Chardonnay from the cool climate Hemel-en-AardeValley. Bright acidity backs a creamy palate of lime, herbs and oak spices.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 92 Points (2020)
This white is racy up front, chiseling flavors of melon, nectarine and Mandarin orange into a linear frame, but then expanding on the palate, with lightly silky texture carrying the juicy fruit and expressive accents of pickled ginger, chopped hazelnut, lime blossom and smoke.

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2023
Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2023
Hamilton Russell
Pinot Noir 2023
JS
92
RP
93
WE
92
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Hamilton Russell Coffret Découverte 2023
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