Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2008

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2008 reminds of a high end white Burgundy - except for the price

Tasting Notes

8/5/09
Light yellow gold in color with a green hue. Spicy top note to the nose with subtle vanilla, toast and a slight butternut component, underscored with mineral and honeyed pear along with brighter citrus fruits. Medium bodied this has exceptional drive, with a racy edge to the mineral laden, citrus and white tree fruits flavors. Lively and vibrant with a long, persistent, lingering finish and lithe in its texture, this has the acidity that gives it a nervy energy to the fruit, suggesting this should age quite well where it will take on a broader palate as well as picking up some interesting nuttiness on its finish as well. Young and evolving but drinking impressively now, this has the structural components to develop into something very special down the road with a few more years under its belt. There’s also a refreshing quality to the wine with its lower alcohol, 13% by volume, along with its brighter fruit that keeps you coming back for another sip, without any palate fatigue that can sometimes be the case with many New World Chardonnay. Think of this in terms of more Old World in style and might we say, even reminding of something from Puligny-Montrachet, but at a much more reasonable price. Bravo to the team at Hamilton Russell for another terrific effort.

Food Accompaniments

Grilled chicken, seafood, shell fish

Awards, Reviews and other Notes

90 pts Wine Spectator 9/11/9 Daily Wine Picks
Ripe and stylish, with melon, ginger, yellow apple and pear flavors that glide over well-embedded acidity. There's a lingering whiff of grilled hazelnut on the rich finish. Not quite as dense as the 2007, but still outstanding. Drink now through 2010.

Price

SKU

Varietal

$26.99

8382

Chardonnay