Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay

The Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay is one of South Africa's most famous white wines – and for good reason. Anyone who has tasted it understands why it is constantly compared to the best Burgundies.

The winery is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, about 150 kilometers southeast of Cape Town. Anthony Hamilton Russell laid the foundation in 1975, and his son Anthony Jr. runs it today. The soils here – rich in clay and interspersed with limestone – and the cool climate right on the Atlantic coast give this Chardonnay its characteristic vibrancy. Fermentation and aging take place in French oak barrels, some of them new, which adds structure and depth without over-oaking the wine.

In the glass, it displays ripe citrus fruit, white peach, and a hint of hazelnut. The acidity is precise and keeps the wine lively, the mouthfeel creamy without heaviness. The finish is long and mineral, with a light buttery note from the barrel aging.

• Temperature: 11–13 °C
• Dishes: Scallops with saffron sauce, lobster, sea bass, mature Brie
• Drinking window: now until 2030