Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay
Cape Point, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
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, 2018
13.0% alc.
Tasted blind so I'm sticking to my initial thoughts and rating.
I found it a bit simple on the palate and with artificial flavors (bubble gum) that made me think of bottom-shelve domestic Chardonnay.
It's been over a decade since my last Hamilton Russell so probably just my palate that is "off" here....
13.0% alc.
Tasted blind so I'm sticking to my initial thoughts and rating.
I found it a bit simple on the palate and with artificial flavors (bubble gum) that made me think of bottom-shelve domestic Chardonnay.
It's been over a decade since my last Hamilton Russell so probably just my palate that is "off" here....
The most expensive white I've tried on this South Africa trip, and without doubt the best. Young and expressive, with all the characteristics of classic Chardonnay to go a long way yet. Spices, stone fruits, vanilla, and smoke. Would love to taste this blind with some quality Burgundy.
The most expensive white I've tried on this South Africa trip, and without doubt the best. Young and expressive, with all the characteristics of classic Chardonnay to go a long way yet. Spices, stone fruits, vanilla, and smoke. Would love to taste this blind with some quality Burgundy.
Dec 24th, 2016
Very vintage golden glinted green, like brass that needs a polish.
Sits here nicely in the last of its best years.
Equal parts vanilla spiced whiskey and fleshy super sweet tropical fruits. Grilled pineapple, starfruit, banana, and orange liqueur.
Very vintage golden glinted green, like brass that needs a polish.
Sits here nicely in the last of its best years.
Equal parts vanilla spiced whiskey and fleshy super sweet tropical fruits. Grilled pineapple, starfruit, banana, and orange liqueur.
Seemed to waver back and forth from being in the last of its best years and perhaps having a few more to look forward to. I drank over four days and was never really sure.
This is opulent, extroverted. Bright golden yellow. Spice loaded vanilla lemon coffee cake and bitter blanched almond.
Dessert course is your choice of lemon meringue, quince spread, and or preserved papaya.
Seemed to waver back and forth from being in the last of its best years and perhaps having a few more to look forward to. I drank over four days and was never really sure.
This is opulent, extroverted. Bright golden yellow. Spice loaded vanilla lemon coffee cake and bitter blanched almond.
Dessert course is your choice of lemon meringue, quince spread, and or preserved papaya.
Very good Chardonnay with vanilla notes and well-balanced set of flavors. I started drinking this after a Walter Scott Chardonnay which is a much better but more expensive wine, but this wine is really well-made and a great value. There is some buttery flavor but it is mild, bad the fruit really comes through.
Very good Chardonnay with vanilla notes and well-balanced set of flavors. I started drinking this after a Walter Scott Chardonnay which is a much better but more expensive wine, but this wine is really well-made and a great value. There is some buttery flavor but it is mild, bad the fruit really comes through.
Nov 27th, 2020
Smoky chestnut notes, very Chassagne. Delicious and restrained
Smoky chestnut notes, very Chassagne. Delicious and restrained
Nov 26th, 2017
That's clean and fresh. SA is getting it done.
That's clean and fresh. SA is getting it done.
Sep 4th, 2017Nice mouthfeel for such a young Chardonnay. Could obviously stay in the bottle a while longer but a very decent example of a young SA chardonnay
Nice mouthfeel for such a young Chardonnay. Could obviously stay in the bottle a while longer but a very decent example of a young SA chardonnay
May 21st, 2017