We are thrilled to release the 30th vintage of Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, the 2011. Stronger than expected demand meant we brought forward the release by one month to ensure no “out of stock” situations over the season.
The trade price for a bottle of the 2011 Chardonnay is R 190.79 vat excl. (R1,144.74 vat excl. per case of 6 bottles). This represents only a very small increase on the 2010.
With the release of the Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot noir 2010 expected in mid January, we will have both our 30th vintage of Pinot noir and our 30th vintage of Chardonnay in the market simultaneously– a real milestone for us! And significantly for this milestone, the wines have really risen to the occasion. We are extremely proud of the quality of both our 2011 Chardonnay and 2010 Pinot noir. They remain true expressions of our site and soils in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
The 2011 Chardonnay has a particularly beautiful fruit profile (pears and limes) and a generous viscous palate balancing the tight, dry, mineral core of the wine and the bright line of natural acid. The vintage was a touch warmer than 2009 and 2010, which accounts for the wines slightly more generous palate at this point in its development. The alcohol at 13.23% remains low however.
Our 2011 is our first vintage to contain a small percentage of Chardonnay fermented and aged in 160 liter stoneware amphorae (see picture below). This initiative has been underway since 2005 when we made our first terracotta amphorae. These turned out to be too porous so we eventually moved to stoneware. With these vessels, we achieve the same air-exchange as a barrel, but avoid the pick up of oak flavours and tannins. They are lined with clay off our property.
Our amphorae are perfect for our oldest Chardonnay vineyards, where even at extremely low yields, the grapes ripen at much lower alcohols – 12% for example. These vineyards make wines that are all too easily overwhelmed by newer wood or lack vibrant freshness in older wood. The lower alcohol wines from the amphorae are wines of great beauty, finesse and freshness, with remarkable density given the alcohol levels.
Our next 9 amphorae arrive in time for the 2012 vintage and with an order of a further 9 for 2013, we will have between 5% and 10% of Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay amphora fermented and aged.