Hamilton Russell, Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa 2023

A challenging cool vintage produced one of the lowest Chardonnay yields in 10 years, however the small quantity of fruit was high quality, lending this wine the trademark Hamilton Russell focused acidity and signature line of minerality. Fermented in French oak and aged for nine months in a mix of new and old barrels, this has creamy citrus aromas, layered with pear, bright lime and nutty hints. Poised and precise palate; textured with generous silky ripeness to the citrus fruit. Already layered and complex, but with more to come, this is a beautiful Burgundian style, for a fraction of the price of Burgundy.