Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay

9.229 ratings
9.25 pro ratings
Cape Point, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Rubychick

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
Will Stanley

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.

1 person found it helpfulJan 16th, 2021
Shawn R

Nice lakeside Chardonnay-cheers!

Nice lakeside Chardonnay-cheers!

Jun 17th, 2017
Perry Riddle

The '15 vintage of this wine has taken South African Chardonnay to a whole other level. This is absolutely stunning, and I can't even imagine how gorgeous it will be in 2 years.

The '15 vintage of this wine has taken South African Chardonnay to a whole other level. This is absolutely stunning, and I can't even imagine how gorgeous it will be in 2 years.

Dec 31st, 2016
Gillett Johnson

Thanks to our good friend Dan Hammer for putting together such a great care package while we look at lake houses in lake county IL

Thanks to our good friend Dan Hammer for putting together such a great care package while we look at lake houses in lake county IL

May 14th, 2016
Paul J
9.5

Similar to previous note but had more acidity and a touch more fruit in the form of melons.

Similar to previous note but had more acidity and a touch more fruit in the form of melons.

Nov 8th, 2021
Paul J
9.7

This absolutely rocked!!! Darkish gold color. Butter, cream, lemon, and oak on the nose and throughout the palate. Excellent texture and medium plus depth. Excellent QPR and I’ll be buying more!l as I only have one left.

This absolutely rocked!!! Darkish gold color. Butter, cream, lemon, and oak on the nose and throughout the palate. Excellent texture and medium plus depth. Excellent QPR and I’ll be buying more!l as I only have one left.

May 9th, 2021
Sylvain Rhainds

2015’

2015’

Apr 14th, 2019
Gerardo Suro

This was interesting. My first Chardonnay from South Africa and it was lovely. Vineyards are located close to the sea which grants the wine an alluring saline component to complement the pineapple and white peach flavors. Drinking well now but could benefit from a few years of cellaring.

This was interesting. My first Chardonnay from South Africa and it was lovely. Vineyards are located close to the sea which grants the wine an alluring saline component to complement the pineapple and white peach flavors. Drinking well now but could benefit from a few years of cellaring.

Feb 9th, 2019
Alec Jeffery

Excellent Chardonnay, quite developed already for a 2015.

Excellent Chardonnay, quite developed already for a 2015.

Jan 3rd, 2019