Nice and tight, mineral Chardonnay. Classic for Hamilton Russell Vineyards is it with good length and complexity. The distinct flavor and aroma of pear and lime are beautifully brought into focus by tight, natural acidity and a long and dry minerality. An elegant, yet structured and intense wine that bears the stamp of both place and vintage.
Class wine from a stellar vintage that was both later and cooler than usual. In the past 25 years up to, only 2001, 2004 and 2008 were cooler. The winter was wetter than normal with 140mm more rain than average. A warm January was a great help in terms of a healthy ripening of the grapes. The yield was, as always for Hamilton Russell, low. The 2021 vintage stands out for its complex wines with multi-layered elegance, purity and mineral liveliness.
About Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hamilton Russel Vineyards is, in short, South African wine with excellent terroir and a fantastic reputation. The winery specializes in producing highly individual and terroir-influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, which are not only considered among the best in South Africa, but throughout the world. Founder Tim Hamilton Russell bought the property with its 170 hectares of uncultivated fields in 1975 after a long search for the most southern and suitable lands to produce top South African cold climate wines from a limited selection of noble grape varieties. The son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, took over the winery in 1991 (bought the entire property in 1994) after his studies at Oxford, further limited the selection of grapes to only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and at the same time registered the winery as an Estate, i.e. that from now on you could only work with grapes from your own fields. Together with winemaker Hannes Storm and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, Anthony is completely concerned with getting the Hamilton Russell Vineyards terroir integrated as best as possible into the house’s wines.
Southern Right
This line of Hamilton Russell wines was founded in 1994 and focuses on the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage grapes. Grown on a 448 hectare vineyard, the name is a reference to the protected Southern Right whale in storm sheltered Walker Bay just three kilometers from the vineyards.
Ashbourne
Established in 1996, Ashbourne is the third line of wines from Hamilton Russell Vineyards. The name is a tribute to great-great-grandfather Lord Ashbourne, who was Lord Chancellor of Ireland in the late 1800s.
