Rustenberg Chardonnay
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Rustenberg Chardonnay comes from Stellenbosch, the most famous wine-producing region in South Africa.
- Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies their house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: The soils are decomposed granite. a VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioned) trellising and 2 Node Spur Pruning system, withminimal drip irrigation. The vines are hand picked and whole bunch pressed. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels. On lees aging for 10 months. Oak aged for 8 months (25% New French oak (Remainder 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak).
Tasting Notes: Apricot, coconut and orange peel aromas followed by flavours of marzipan, sponge cake and citrus rounded off with carefully judged oak and balanced, fresh acidity.
PRESS
2021 – 92 James Suckling | 91 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg, later acquiring Schoongezicht and reuniting the properties. Their son Simon took over the running of the farm in 1987. Simon’s son, Murray, joined in the running of the farm with his father in 2012. The Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 70 years: the longest period any one family has owned the farm.
The Rustenberg Estate stands on an impressive 880 hectares against the iconic Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. When standing in the high vineyards of the Estate, the entire vista of Stellenbosch is revealed, with a glimpse of Table Mountain in the distance. Of the 880 hectares making up the Estate, 110 hectares are under vine (with plans to plant some more vines in the next year or so), 200 hectares make up the beautiful pastures and farmland for their cattle to graze on, a portion hosts the historical farm and winery buildings and other structures, and the rest of Rustenberg is comprised of conservation land, made up of natural “fynbos” (the indigenous flora of the Cape) and a myriad of wildlife (including porcupines, caracals, and cape leopard).