“Bright yellow-gold. Rich, musky peach, lime and clove aromas convey an impression of energy. Very dry and delineated, showing bracing limey acidity and captivating Burgundian nut oil and stone fruit flavors. Refined, light on its feet and very long but in need of at least a couple years in bottle to expand and express itself. Quite austere in the early going. This consistently excellent South African Chardonnay has a track record for aging.”

"The term ‘icon’ is rather overused, particularly when it comes to new world wines of ambitious design (and price!). There are a few wines which genuinely deserve the title, however Hamilton Russell has become the benchmark for quality in South Africa.
Time and again this estate continues to produce exceptional examples of what great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Specialising in highly individual wines made very much in a Burgundian style, they reflect the surprisingly cool maritime climate of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Hamilton Russell has caught the eye of leading critics all over the world".

“Classic grapes such as Chardonnay are also well established in the Cape such as deservedly famous Hamilton Russell’s 2014 Chardonnay for Pounds 27 from Majestic which is astonishingly Burgundian with its elegant deployment of oak while retaining a steely core of minerally tension.
If you’ve the patience to wait a decade before tasting it, you’ll be handsomely rewarded as it evolved and reveals its full bandwith of awesomeness.”

“The 2014 Chardonnay has a very composed nose; hints of wild honey, citrus lemon, nutmeg and flint emerge from the glass, very nicely focused and gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is clean and fresh on the entry, superb volume in the mouth here with almond and coconut-tinged citrus fruit. I just appreciate the flow of this wine, the energy is carried within and the precision on the finish. This is an outstanding Chardonnay from Hamilton Russell.”