John Szabo, Master Sommelier, Canada

“Hamilton Russell is the original and still the gold standard for the region. The wines are all class.”

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

“Today the winery (Hamilton Russell Vineyards) is one of the most recognized brands in the U.S. market, and rightfully so, as it has become the flag bearer for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from South Africa.”

Peter Newton, Bordeaux Index

“Hamilton Russell Vineyards is arguably South Africa’s most famous wine estate ….. Elegant Pinot Noir very much in a Burgundian style.”

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

“Bravo to Hamilton Russell, who have produced an outstanding Pinot Noir in 2010, one of the finest New World expressions of the grape variety that I have encountered. When Hamilton Russell gets it right, they hit bullseye.”

Miguel Chan, Sommelier, Tsogo Sun

“Without a doubt one of the world’s top 25 Chardonnays, including top Burgundy.”
"The purism and purity of the Hamilton Russell Vineyards in capturing their Chardonnay and Pinot noir sites expressions over the last four decades consistently places Hamilton Russell Vineyards amongst the world's finest producers of the variety, a South African benchmark."

Jay McInerney, Author and wine writer, New York

“Few outside of Burgundy have mastered the nuances of Pinot or learned to tame it. Hamilton Russell is among the few great New World Pinots – suggestive of Burgundy and yet utterly itself.”

Tim Atkin, wine writer, UK

“South Africa's best Chardonnay — elegant and beautifully poised.”

Oz Clarke, wine writer, UK

".... superb, restrained, Burgundian Chardonnay and Pinot noir that set a standard for the rest of the hemisphere..."

Andrew McNamara, Master Sommelier, Florida

"I have always thought of their Pinot noir as iconic - a true example of what Pinot noir can be. It will always have a place in my heart as the first great South African wine I ever had - and it continues to show the world what Pinot noir can be."

Douglas Bailey, Boston Globe

“… this South African vineyard has become recognised as the country’s best producer of chardonnay and pinot noir.”

Pierre Crisol, Gault Millau

“Drawn from Pinot noir, or as it happens, from Chardonnay as in Burgundy, perfectly balanced, they stand unrivalled among the best of the New World.”

Jim Ainsworth, Drink

“If I were a Burgundian winemaker I would lie awake at night worrying about this wine.”

Frank J Prial, The New York Times

“No Pinot noir enthusiast should miss the chance to try it.”

Irina von Holdt

“One of the Cape’s enduring classics.”

David Fingleton, The Spectator

“We drank a magnificent Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir from the Cape. One of the finest New World reds I have tasted.”

Gordon Stimmell, Toronto Sun

“Out of 1 000+ Chardonnays tried in the last three years, I consistently place these two in the top 30. My personal winner was the Hamilton Russell ….”

Hugh Johnson, Wine Companion

“One of a few Cape Chardonnays to have firmness and real depth of flavour.”

Harry Eyres, Harpers & Queen

“With its lemony intensity, its restrained ripeness and its penetrating finish it does not really taste like a New World wine.”

John Platter, South African Wine Guide

“… much closer to the ripe complexity and subtlety of French styles that the general run of New World Chardonnays.”

Lay & Wheeler Fine Wine Merchants

"Classically styled, for many these wines remain the benchmark for South African Pinot noir and Chardonnay."

Kurtis Kolt, Wine Consultant, Vancouver

"At the forefront of premium South African wine is Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over his father’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Hamilton Russell Vineyards winery in the 1990s, taking it from a multivarietal portfolio to one specifically focusing on (squint and it could be Burgundy) Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Sure, they’re pricey, ……… but wines of their quality and stature would run in the hundreds ($) were they originating from Burgundy."

Southern Hemisphere Wines, California

"The hits just keep coming and if there has ever been a wine that has consistently hit all the right notes then the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay gets to keep ringing the bell. Hamilton Russell's Chardonnay has become a benchmark wine for South Africa as well as having strong international standing, which is evidenced by its continued praiseworthy critical acclaim over the years."

Andrew McFetridge, Sommelier NYC

"You can't really talk about wine, especially South African wine, without mentioning the people who broke through barriers and did things their way. Hamilton Russell's Pinot noir from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is, much like its winemakers - bold, refined and spicy. Truly heaven on earth."

Katie Finn, Sommelier, Dessert Wine Shop, nr Palm Springs, USA

"I’ve tasted countless South African wines and the Hamilton Russell Wines are consistently the best. If you haven’t experienced them, you need to. A bucket-list wine for sure."

James Lawrence

"And as it happens, the Hamilton Russel Pinot Noir is routinely considered to be South Africa’s best – with good reason. Here we have a wine which never compromises on flavor, structure, perfume, and complexity. Here we have a wine which, tasted blind, suggests the mega-expensive end of the Burgundy market."

Wine Spectator, 2020

"Hamilton Russell has today become one of the most recognised brands in the U.S. market."

Bordeaux Index, 2021

"Today the winery is one of the most recognised brands on the market (UK), and rightfully so, as it has become the flag bearer for Pinot noir and Chardonnay from South Africa."

Greg Sherwood MW, April 2021

"With their winery retaining an obsessive and loyal legion of drinkers and collectors only matched by the likes of fellow icon brands like Meerlust Rubicon or Kanonkop Paul Sauer, quality and consistency has always been the Hamilton Russell calling card."

Miguel Chan, December 2021

"Consistently one of the world's greatest Pinot Noir producers, a Southern Hemisphere and South African benchmark, inspiring many Cape wineries/Pinot Noir producers to reach the holy grail of greatness."

Dermot Nolan MW, Dublin, March 2022

"Of course, being made by a family with over 40 years' experience, and a clear quality-oriented philosophy, from vineyards in a special location with excellent soil helps, but there is no doubt that these wines are very, very good and well worth seeking out. Heaven on earth indeed!”

James Forsyth, Co-Founder, Vinous, June 2024

Hamilton Russell Vineyards is one of the great icons of South African wine. In a recent retrospective, Neal Martin detailed 40 years of your Pinot Noir, going back to your historic 1981 vintage wine. For all its history, Neal's recent coverage of the estate reveals your team's constant efforts to evolve in the pursuit of quality, all starting in the vineyard. Hamilton Russell Vineyards is as exciting and relevant today as it has ever been. With that in mind, our Editorial Team selected your winery as one of a handful from South Africa to be invited to Vinous Icons.