2021 Hamilton Russell, Chardonnay, 6x750ml

2021 Hamilton Russell, Chardonnay, 6x750ml

Availability: In stock

Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml

Duty Status
From £135.00

Critics Score: 94

Publication: Andy Howard MW, Decanter

Drinking Dates: 2024-2030

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.
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Is one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea. They pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool and maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation. The Estate specialises in producing 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. His son, Antony Hamilton Russell, took over in 1991.

Their low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of well under 35 hl/ha and their philosophy of expressing the terroir in the wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of the Pinot noir. Hamilton Russell Pinot noir is not overtly fruity, soft and “sweet” and it generally shows hints of an alluring savoury “primal” character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.