Chardonnay 2021

HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS

Chardonnay
2021

  • Sustainable
Country
South Africa
Regulated designation
Wine of origin (WO)
Region
Western Cape
Subregion
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website
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About this winery

Hamilton Russell Vineyards – one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea – pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the finest in the New World. Owner, Anthony Hamilton Russell took...

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Tasting notes

A tight, mineral wine with classic Hamilton Russell Vineyards length and complexity. Prominent pear and lime fruit aromas and flavours are brought beautifully into focus by a tight line of bright natural acid and a long, dry minerality. An elegant, yet textured and intense wine with a strong personality of both place and vintage.

Press reviews

Decanter

- 95 points -

March 2024 (Vintage 2023)

A challenging cool vintage produced one of the lowest Chardonnay yields in 10 years, however the small quantity of fruit was high quality, lending this wine the trademark Hamilton Russell focused acidity and signature line of minerality. Fermented in French oak and aged for nine months in a mix of new and old barrels, this has creamy citrus aromas, layered with pear, bright lime and nutty hints. Poised and precise palate; textured with generous silky ripeness to the citrus fruit. Already layered and complex, but with more to come, this is a beautiful Burgundian style, for a fraction of the price of Burgundy.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 95 points -

2024 (Vintage 2023)

Hamilton Russell's excellent Chardonnay has been a benchmark for as long as I can remember, a Cape calling card for the variety on international markets. This is typically intense, complex and layered, with notes of buttered croissant, stone fruit and honey, well-judged underlying freshness and acidity and stylishly handled 24% new wood.

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Tim Atkin MW

- 95 points -

Tim Atkin MW, September 2023 (Vintage 2022)

Ever the class act, Hamilton Russell's Chardonnay is in a rich vein of form right now. Using only 5% malolactic because of the warmer year, this is fresh, layered and detailed, with perfumed 23% new wood, notes of brioche and lemon butter and a stylish, stony finish. Concentrated without being heavy in any way.

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Decanter

- 94 points -

Andy Howard MW, March 2022 (Vintage 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.

 

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Wine Advocate

- 94 points -

December 2023 (Vintage 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. Give it a try! Just under 70,000 bottles were filled.

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Vinous

- 93 points -

August 2023 (Vintage 2022)

The 2022 Chardonnay is matured nine months in 300-liter French oak barrels, 24% new. It has a backward nose demanding just a little coaxing from the glass, revealing tempting lemon thyme, hazelnut and subtly smoky aromas. The palate is taut and fresh with a lovely, slightly waxy texture. The oak is nicely integrated, quite linear and tensile in style, with ample weight toward the poised finish. This is a classy Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell. 13.3% alcohol

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