Founder, Tim Hamilton Russell, purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa's top cool climate wines from a selection of noble varieties.His son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over in 1991 (finally buying the property in 1994), narrowed the range to Pinot noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committing to work only with grapes from their terroir. "We are not so much using Hamilton Russell Vineyards to make Pinot noir and Chardonnay as we are using Pinot noir and Chardonnay to express the beauty and personality of Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Our terroir, in effect, "chose" these varieties as its most individual and beautiful expression."-Anthony Hamilton Russell
85dSouth Africa » Hemel-en-Aarde
Wine Spectator 90 “A graceful Pinot framed by light, crisp tannins, and a delicate, herbal overtone accenting flavors of ripe red currant and raspberry fruit, Mandarin
Tim Atkin 95 Unlike the Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir in the fireaffected 2019 vintage, the Chardonnay was all made with estate fruit. Entirely whole bunch-pressed for
Tim Atkin 95 Made with 84 purchased fruit because of the fire in Hamilton Russells own vineyards, this is a cuve of the three Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Tim Atkin 95 “The crop was tiny in 2018 - half of the normal yield, according to Emul Ross - but the quality and style of
Tim Atkin 93 "This was showing quite a bit of oak and tannin when I tasted it, but Hamilton Russell Pinots are rarely showy in their
James Suckling 94 "A really stylish white with white stones, dried apricots, white blossoms, lemon curd, jasmine and caramelized citrus peel. Medium to full body, some
James Suckling 93 ““Fresh red cherries, blueberries, rose petals, stems, nutmeg, licorice and spice box. Medium to full body, refined tannins, savory undertones and a caressing
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2016 Chardonnay underwent less malolactic than other vintages to preserve the acidity, around 40%, and the wine matured in 38% new oak
Wine Spectator 94 WS TOP 100 2016 Rank 11 "Rippling with tension, featuring Jonagold apple, white peach, mirabelle plum and honeysuckle notes coiled at the core. Citrus
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2014 Chardonnay has a very composed nose: hints of wild honey, citrus lemon, nutmeg and flint emerge from the glass, very nicely
Wine Spectator 92 "Very stylish and alluring, with blood orange, singed cinnamon, dark tea and lightly mulled cherry fruit notes weaving together, laced with a tangy
Wine Spectator 92 Very refined, with bergamot and rooibos tea notes, followed by silky cherry, mulled strawberry and cinnamon flavors at the core. Delivers a long,
Robert Parker 93 "Cropped at 16.86 hectoliter per hectare and raised in 35% new oak barrels, the 2010 Chardonnay is more reserved than the 2009 but
Wine Spectator 92 “Lovely black tea, singed apple wood and toasty wood spice notes lead the way, followed by racy black cherry, red currant and blackberry
Wine Spectator 90 "Ripe and stylish, with melon, ginger, yellow apple and pear flavors that glide over well-embedded acidity. There's a lingering whiff of grilled hazelnut
Wine Spectator 91 "A tangy, racy style, boasting a core of mulled cherry, red currant and incense notes backed by a long, iron-tinged finish. Taut but
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