Victoria Moore of The Telegraph divulges how wine estate owner Anthony Hamilton Russell has made his mark internationally for the South African wine market. The estate is known for some of the country’s finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Former owner, Tim Hamilton Russell, was one of the trailblazing producers of Pinot Noir and certainly the driving force behind the birth of Pinot in the greater Walker Bay region.
On joining the family winery Anthony refurbished the vineyards and removed all the vines that weren’t Pinot Noir or Chardonnay on the estate, deciding to specialise in these two wine varieties. This was a decision that has put the estate on the map. He also arranged that a semi-governmental body would buy in botanical material to plant on the estate, giving the property a four-year head start. Soil studies ensured that the placement of the vines lent itself to prime conditions for growth.
Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 is one to try. Christian Eedes scored this wine 95 points and it is available for R305 per bottle.
A buttery, putty-like warmth is undercut by vivid, lemony acidity. This is a chardonnay that glows with a soft oak spice that comes from using different ages and different degrees of toasting (the wood is literally toasted inside with a flame) of barrels – Victoria Moore
Read more about why South Africa is thrilling the wine world .View our full range of Hamilton Russell wines on Winecellar.co.za.
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