SKU: 05194

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2021

ta96
wa95
d94
ws92
v91

750ml

Unavailable

We're sorry, but this product is not currently available.

Available for:

Pickup

Delivery

Shipping

Category	White Wine
Varietal	Chardonnay
Brand	Hamilton Russell
Origin	South Africa, Western Cape
Alcohol/vol	13.4%

One of the most southerly wine estates in Africa, this Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist pioneered viticulture in the beautiful, cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation behind the ancient fishing village of Hermanus. Hamilton Russell Vineyards specializes 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. Founder, Tim Hamilton Russell, purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa’s top cool climate wines from a selection of noble varieties. His son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over in 1991 (finally buying the property in 1994), narrowed the range to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committing to work only with grapes from their terroir.

“We are not so much using Hamilton Russell Vineyards to make Pinot noir and Chardonnay as we are using Pinot noir and Chardonnay to express the beauty and personality of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Our terroir, in effect, "chose" these varieties as its most individual and beautiful expression.” Anthony Hamilton Russell

This Chardonnay is a precise, minerally Chardonnay with classic Hamilton Russell Vineyards length and complexity. Prominent pear and lime fruit aromas and flavors 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.

Tim Atkin

ta96

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.

June 2022

Wine Advocate

wa95

Instantly pleasurable in the glass, the 2021 Chardonnay is fresh with yellow fruit essences that sway with a crystalline purity. Medium-bodied, the wine is complex with bright, energetic acidity that unwinds over the long, lingering, food-friendly finish. This Chardonnay is a masterclass in possessing power and elegance.

Decanter

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.

Wine Spectator

ws92

An elegant white, fresh and focused, with deftly knit layers of ripe yellow plum and apple, salted Marcona almond, honeysuckle and verbena expanding on the palate and through the spice- and mineral-laced finish. 3,700 cases made, 700 cases imported.

Alison Napjus

Vinous

The 2021 Chardonnay is 100% whole bunch pressed with an 80% wild ferment and nine months on the lees (27% new oak from Francois Freres). 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.

Neal Martin, August 2022