Ever the class act, Hamilton Russell's Chardonnay is in a rich vein of form right now. Using only 5% malolactic because of the warmer year, this is fresh, layered and detailed, with perfumed 23% new wood, notes of brioche and lemon butter and a stylish, stony finish. Concentrated without being heavy in any way.

A beautiful wine from 2022, the world-class Hamilton Russell Chardonnay comes from this step slight set on stony, clay-rich soils. This is rich and mineral-laden stuff that has gobs of salty character alongside bright Japanese pear, peach and suggestions of toasted hazelnut. Complex, elegant and highly refined, coming up very weightless, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twelve plus years.

So if you’re interested in nabbing the finest Chardonnay and Pinot in all the Cape, then get your blooming skates on. And that’s no hyperbole: the 2021 HRV Chardonnay was named Chardonnay of the Year and awarded five stars in 2023 Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide. The 2022 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay is a worthy successor to said wine, full of citrus, white peach and just a hint of buttery toast. It’s concentrated and restrained and while hard to resist now, it’ll blossom into something truly majestic.

Wine Align, Ontario, Canada, writers were asked, "If you could buy only one wine from the VINTAGES September 23 release, which one would it be and why?” From a pre-eminent chardonnay producer in South Africa - located in the idyllic Hemel-en-Aarde Valley very close to the seas of Walker Bay - this Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2022 is a big, firm, balanced and detailed wine. The nose is fairly generous and very complex with peach/pear, hazelnut, brown spice, lemon wax. It is quite full bodied, hefty and well balanced within its largesse ….. Excellent to outstanding focus and length. Will age a decade or more if you wish, but open any time.

The palate is taut and fresh with a lovely, slightly waxy texture. The oak is nicely integrated, quite linear and tensile in style, with ample weight toward the poised finish. This is a classy Chardonnay.

This has a lovely nose of cedar, grapefruit, lemon rind, apricot stones and tarragon. Salted butter. It's medium- to full-bodied, deliciously saline and creamy, with a long and elegant finish.

This could well be one of the finest chardonnays yet from this pioneering Hemel-en-Aarde estate, up there with the best from the southern (and northern) hemispheres. I love the creamy texture framed by saliva-inducing acids, and the exceptional length. Drink or hold 4-6 years.