Chardonnay 2019

HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS

Chardonnay
2019

  • Vegan
Country
South Africa
Regulated designation
Wine of origin (WO)
Region
Western Cape
Subregion
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Varietal(s)
Chardonnay 100 %
Alcohol percentage
13%
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Sugar content
2.2 g/l
Producer's website

About this winery

Hamilton Russell Vineyards – one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea – pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises 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. Owner, Anthony Hamilton Russell took...

See the HAMILTON RUSSELL VINEYARDS detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

2017 was back to usual after a particularly early 2015 and 2016. As for 2015 and 2016 however, the duration of harvest was short, with all grapes coming in prior to the end of February - having begun the harvest in the first week of February. Based on average maximum temperatures for the crucial months of Dec, Jan, Feb, March, 2017 was a warm harvest -0.53 centigrade above the long-term average of 25 centigrade. December was warmer, January cooler and February warmer than average. Rainfall for these crucial months was only 10mm below long-term average, so conditions could not be described as particularly dry. The rain which fell was in more regular very small amounts however, raising humidity and creating botrytis pressure. The vineyard's organic use of "good" Trichoderma funguses to attack botrytis was fortunately highly effective and there was no detrimental effect on what turned out to be exceptional grape quality. Altogether 2017 was an excellent vintage, with pure, fine, particularly classic, elegant wines with marked minerality.

Production notes

Aged for 9 Months in 228 liter French Oak Barrels.

Tasting notes

A tight, minerally wine with classic Hamilton Russell Vineyards length and complexity. Unusually prominent pear and lime fruit aromas and flavours 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.

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 92 points -

(Vintage 2020)

This has a vibrant nose of jasmine, grapefruit zest, sliced pear, buttered toast and smoked almonds. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity. Bright, zesty and spicy. Pretty almond notes on the finish. Drink now.

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Vinous

- 90 points -

Neal Martin, (Vintage 2020)

The 2020 Chardonnay has a light bouquet with touches of honeysuckle and jasmine, well defined but in need of a little more presence. The palate is fresh and vibrant with fine acidity, quite zen-like, and steely and saline toward the finish. This is a much leaner style of Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell and I appreciate that, though I must confess that I found myself wishing for more extract, something for my senses to cling on to.

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