Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay

9.17 ratings
9.03 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
Allison Lyzenga

Pale lemon; medium intensity aromas of lemon, lime, mineral, cedar, cream; dry, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; round on palate, fresh but with creaminess from oak

Pale lemon; medium intensity aromas of lemon, lime, mineral, cedar, cream; dry, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium intensity flavors consistent with aromas; round on palate, fresh but with creaminess from oak

Feb 20th, 2020
Sipping Fine Wine

Pale lemon color with stone and citrus fruits, clean with notes of spice. On the palate flavors of peach, pear and citrus lime flavors, lively acidity and light oak. The medium finish is creamy with a nutty character. good mouthfeel ending with mineral tang.

Pale lemon color with stone and citrus fruits, clean with notes of spice. On the palate flavors of peach, pear and citrus lime flavors, lively acidity and light oak. The medium finish is creamy with a nutty character. good mouthfeel ending with mineral tang.

1 person found it helpfulMar 10th, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.

Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.

Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.

Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.

Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop.

1 person found it helpfulMay 18th, 2019
Paul J
9.7

Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:

1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.

2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.

3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.


1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.

2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.

3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.

Great night with great friends!

Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:

1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.

2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.

3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.


1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.

2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.

3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.

Great night with great friends!

Jun 8th, 2024
Guthrie Raimondo

Apple, slate, crisp and tennis balls. Lovely example

Apple, slate, crisp and tennis balls. Lovely example

Jul 18th, 2020
Andrea Watt

Mineral and almost zinc, followed by lime, bright acidity, and pear. Doesn’t taste like Chardonnay to me but is very nice and more intense than usual for a white.

Mineral and almost zinc, followed by lime, bright acidity, and pear. Doesn’t taste like Chardonnay to me but is very nice and more intense than usual for a white.

Oct 2nd, 2019
Brendan Baker

Lemon pith, mineral, mild oak influence, med + acid. Definitely an old world style and very nice

Lemon pith, mineral, mild oak influence, med + acid. Definitely an old world style and very nice

Sep 19th, 2019