Reviews & Ratings

2010 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay "Hemel en Aarde"

Winery: Hamilton Russell

Vintage: 2010

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Hemel en Aarde"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Hemel en Aarde

State or country: South Africa

Price: $32

Cases produced: 4,028

KWG Score: 93.6 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: April 16, 2012

Wine Review: I recently attended a South African tasting at Colonial Spirits and was very impressed with this Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell. It is yellow colored and opens with a fragrant and very inviting vanilla oak and Bartlett pear bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, rich, and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a tasty Meyer lemon with nicely integrated butterscotch, fig and vanilla oak. There was also some green apple mixed in as well. The finish is dry and its mild acidity lingers nicely for quite a while. I would pair this tasty Chard with chicken tortellini smothered with a buttered cream sauce. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: A tight, minerally wine with classic Hamilton Russell Vineyards length and complexity. 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. Estate Wine of Origin Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

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