Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2023
By Christian Eedes, 21 April 2024
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Hamilton Russell Vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley describe the Chardonnay 2023 as “a vintage that was not without its challenges”, bud-break uneven and yields low. The resulting wine is accomplished, nonetheless.
Matured in 300-litre barrels, of which 24% were first-fill, the wine is, to put it briefly, elegant. Floral perfume, pear, citrus, a touch of vanilla and spice and the merest hint of flinty reduction on the nose while the palate shows good fruit definition, present but inconspicuous acidity, and a gently savoury finish. Relatively light-bodied (alc: 13.5%) and yet still intricate. Price: R825 a bottle.
CE’s rating: 94/100.
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James Payn | 21 April 2024
Christian, unfortunately your ratings mean nothing any more. Our wines cannot all rate more than 90 points.
Greg Sherwood | 22 April 2024
James, most of the producers Winemag rates are either well known estates or top end boutique producers and inovative young guns… and yes, most of those producers are indeed making wines, that in a global context, would rate at circa 90 or over. Take the Hamilton Russell for example, this is one of the benchmark producers in SA and normally receives a rating of 91-94… from most international critics, not just CE. Perhaps you should rather direct your scoring criticism at the wider state of global wine scoring?? Just a thought.
Mike Froud of Top Wine SA | 22 April 2024
Scores of 90 to 92 good but… 93 to 95 more attention-grabbing… 96+ in fireworks territory… Simple!