HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS - Chardonnay - 2020

HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS

Chardonnay 2020

- 95 points -

2018 produced a super taut, reductive serious expression and 2019 showed a lusher, more forward, accessible opulence, then 2020 is perhaps a marriage of these two styles. This is a wine full of confidence and composure, brimming with taut white citrus pith, green pear and lime peel, bruised green apples, white blossom and a complexing saline oyster shell minerality. On the palate there is a feel of density, dry extract, concentration and a really precise harmonious balance with layers of green melon, sweet lime jelly, melted butter and a full glycerol finish with just the faintest hint of butterscotch, lime cordial and vanilla pod spice. Seemless and sleek, the layers just melt into each other leaving a sensation of utter completeness. What a truly fabulous wine, resplendent in its mellow classical restraint, intense concentration and harmonious length. A big high five for Emul Ross!!

April 2021


About Greg Sherwood MW

Greg was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and as the son of a career diplomat, spent his first 21 years travelling the globe with his parents. All the related wining and dining, in the line of duty, is where he first realised his passion for fine wine. Greg completed his Theory examination in 2006 and the MW dissertation process in 2007 with a topic entitled “Method Cap Classique Production in Constantia, South Africa.” He is proud to be counted as only the fourth South African ever to pass the prestigious Master of Wine examinations when he became the 265th Master of Wine in 2007. Ten years later, there are still only just over 350 Masters of Wine in the world.