Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay
Cape Point, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
The 2015 Hamilton Russell Estate Chardonnay is a splendid wine, even if this bottle has been carted around several houses and varying temperatures since I bought it on release. It’s a lesson in proper storage: the colour is of a wine much older than this and it’s dramatically different to my experience with it on last tasting around two years ago. Nonetheless, it’s a very well-made wine and it shows.
There’s baked apple, pastry, burnt butter, butterscotch and coconut on the nose, while the rich, saturated palate offers apple, butter, honeydew melon, a honeyed edge and Meyer lemon acidity. A creamy mouthfeel completes the harmony.
The 2015 Hamilton Russell Estate Chardonnay is a splendid wine, even if this bottle has been carted around several houses and varying temperatures since I bought it on release. It’s a lesson in proper storage: the colour is of a wine much older than this and it’s dramatically different to my experience with it on last tasting around two years ago. Nonetheless, it’s a very well-made wine and it shows.
There’s baked apple, pastry, burnt butter, butterscotch and coconut on the nose, while the rich, saturated palate offers apple, butter, honeydew melon, a honeyed edge and Meyer lemon acidity. A creamy mouthfeel completes the harmony.
Pale lemon; medium intensity aromas of lemon, lime, mineral, cedar, cream; dry, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; round on palate, fresh but with creaminess from oak
Pale lemon; medium intensity aromas of lemon, lime, mineral, cedar, cream; dry, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; round on palate, fresh but with creaminess from oak
Feb 20th, 2020
The texture and acidity balance well to gift a buttery style with a botrytis(y) edge. Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
The texture and acidity balance well to gift a buttery style with a botrytis(y) edge. Happy Thanksgiving ❤️
Nov 25th, 2018
Normally not a new world / oaked chard fan but this one was well integrated. Leaned tropical, and I got lots of salted butter. 🇿🇦
Normally not a new world / oaked chard fan but this one was well integrated. Leaned tropical, and I got lots of salted butter. 🇿🇦
May 18th, 2018South African Chardonnay in a great, great way.
South African Chardonnay in a great, great way.
5 people found it helpfulJan 24th, 2013Perhaps the best Chardonnay for the money on earth.
Perhaps the best Chardonnay for the money on earth.
4 people found it helpfulJul 23rd, 2014
When old met new and married! Lovely, so tropical fresh new world style fruit w/ dat old world body. Sexy, mouthwatering front, with a bone dry under layer that takes you straight to France. Light pineapple with white green honeydew finish with a touch of butterscotch. I'm really impressed by this South African.
When old met new and married! Lovely, so tropical fresh new world style fruit w/ dat old world body. Sexy, mouthwatering front, with a bone dry under layer that takes you straight to France. Light pineapple with white green honeydew finish with a touch of butterscotch. I'm really impressed by this South African.
2 people found it helpfulNov 5th, 2014
Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.
Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.
Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.
Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.
Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.
Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.
Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.
Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.
This 2017 is a very lovely bottle of Chardonnay. Aromatically complex in the early going- showing lots of citrus blossom, honeysuckle and orchard fruit aromas. Ripe peach, hints of tropical fruit, sweet butter and toasted hazelnut flavors all very present. The freshness, lift and subtle minerality make this wine feel very kinetic and alive. Burgundy of this quality is consistently twice the price, and I predict a very nice aging trajectory here as well. Superb quality, great balance.
This 2017 is a very lovely bottle of Chardonnay. Aromatically complex in the early going- showing lots of citrus blossom, honeysuckle and orchard fruit aromas. Ripe peach, hints of tropical fruit, sweet butter and toasted hazelnut flavors all very present. The freshness, lift and subtle minerality make this wine feel very kinetic and alive. Burgundy of this quality is consistently twice the price, and I predict a very nice aging trajectory here as well. Superb quality, great balance.
1 person found it helpfulDec 15th, 2018I got to visit with Anthony about 10 years ago - the brand continues to pick up considerable steam as I predicted....this is no exception. A balance of old world charm & tension,with new world richness - don't miss an opportunity to grab a few bottles
I got to visit with Anthony about 10 years ago - the brand continues to pick up considerable steam as I predicted....this is no exception. A balance of old world charm & tension,with new world richness - don't miss an opportunity to grab a few bottles
1 person found it helpfulNov 12th, 2015