Technical Analysis
Since 1977 Rust en Vrede has specialised in the exclusive production of red wine from estate vines, with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting note
Expressive nose, showing blackcurrant and blackberry layered with hints of tobacco, cedar and liquorice. Structured on the palate with firm, yet well integrated tannins supported by a bright sour-cherry acidity that brings freshness and lift. Ripe blackcurrant and mulberry carry through from the nose, joined by notes of chocolate, cedar and a touch of graphite. Full-bodied and mouth-filling, it remains balanced and seamless throughout.
Vintage conditions
The autumn of 2023 was cool and wet, helping the vines recover, while a cold winter ensured proper dormancy and above-average rainfall replenished soils and dams. Spring remained cool with strong south-easterly winds, though the later-budding varieties set an average crop. A warm, dry late spring encouraged vigorous growth. Summer was exceptionally dry, with no rain from September to mid-February, requiring early irrigation. January was particularly hot, though careful canopy management prevented sunburn. Cooler conditions in early February and moderate weather from March allowed slow ripening and excellent colour. Harvest was largely dry, with one timely rain benefiting Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2024 vintage shows deep colour, generous extract and excellent potential.
Vinification details
Made from Estate-grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Harvest parcels and clones are vinified separately. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French 300l oak barrels (20% new oak), for 18 months
Technical Analysis
Since 1977 Rust en Vrede has specialised in the exclusive production of red wine from estate vines, with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting note
Perfumed aromas of lavender, black currant, cedar and vanilla. The palate is lively and expressive, offering layers of black and red cherries, complemented by hints of graphite, espresso, and dark chocolate. Firm, youthful tannins and zesty acidity provide structure, finishing with a lingering note of cherries. An elegant and refined Cabernet.
Vintage conditions
The season was exceptionally dry, with winter and spring rainfall 100mm below the previous year. Early winter lacked cold units, but a late cold snap balanced this. Warmer spring temperatures led to even budding, though irrigation was necessary during flowering. December brought an unprecedented 80mm of rain, boosting the vines but increasing disease pressure, which was managed through careful spraying and canopy work. Hot January weather pushed ripening along, while cooler nights and light rain in late summer helped maintain acidity. Loadshedding made cellar operations tricky, but the new solar plant eased the strain. March’s harvest was particularly demanding, with heavy rain and humidity delaying picking. Despite it all, the vineyards delivered beautifully – producing lighter, more elegant wines reminiscent of 2016
Vinification details
Made from Estate-grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Harvest parcels and clones are vinified separately. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French 300l oak barrels (20% new oak), for 18 months
AWARDS
Wine Advocate: 91 pts;
Platter: 94 pts
Technical Analysis
Since 1977 Rust en Vrede has specialised in the exclusive production of red wine from estate vines, with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting note
Deep ruby in colour. A complex nose of black currant, dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar, nutmeg, and pencil shavings. Refined and elegantly balanced on the palate where intense black currant, black cherry, fresh plum, and mulberry combine with spicy and savoury notes of cedar and tobacco to make this a classically styled Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon. Persistent, fresh finish of cassis and cedar.
Vintage conditions
A typical winter in 2021 with good rainfall at an average of 150mm rain each month from May to August replenished water reserves, and cold units were very good. Budbreak was slightly later than usual, but higher than normal rainfall at critical times during flowering and fruit set was good for our vineyards. January was warm and dry, with a few heat waves – good conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, mitigating sunburn with good canopy
management. Temperate conditions during harvest meant that the Cabernet Sauvignon ripened evenly with deep colour. The vintage of 2022 was moderate with an average crop size of excellent quality. The Rust en Vrede wines from this vintage show good colour, intensity, and promise for aging.
Vinification details
Made from Estate-grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Harvest parcels and clones are vinified separately. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French 300l oak barrels (20% new oak), for 18 months
AWARDS
Wine Spectator: 93 pts;
Platter: 94 pts
DWWA: Silver
Technical Analysis
Since 1977 Rust en Vrede has specialised in the exclusive production of red wine from estate vines, with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting note
A subtle perfume of sandalwood is followed by pronounced aromas of black currant, cherry and graphite. Bold and robust on the palate with fresh acidity balancing out fine grained and grippy tannins. Intense flavours of black currant combine with sour cherry, spicy plum, and espresso. A structured wine with a long savoury finish that speaks of good aging potential.
Vintage conditions
Cool, wet conditions during the winter of 2020 replenished water reserves and provided sufficient water to saturate soils and return water levels to pre-drought levels. This resulted in very vigorous growth in the vineyards, meaning careful vineyard management was required, especially to curb vigorous growth during spring. Flowering and fruit set conditions were ideal, with an average crop set, followed by a moderate growing season. There followed a cool ripening season in 2021, with late ripening and minimal precipitation during the harvest period. Ideal conditions that allowed grapes to ripen slowly, retaining good acidity while developing phenolics.
Vinification details
Made from Estate-grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Harvest parcels and clones are vinified separately. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French 300l oak barrels (20% new oak), for 18 months
AWARDS
Wine Spectator: 92 pts;
Platter: 92 pts
DWWA: Silver
Technical Analysis
Since 1977 Rust en Vrede has specialised in the exclusive production of red wine from estate vines, with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Tasting note
Expressive black fruit jumps out of the glass. Juicy black cherry and cassis combine with blueberries, liquorice and sandalwood. Full bodied and intense on the palate. Fine grained, grippy tannins balance well with a fresh, black-fruit acidity. Tobacco, nutmeg and savoury spice bring complex layers to mulberry and bramble fruit that round out the palate. A typically well-structured Cabernet with excellent length.
Vintage conditions
The vintage of 2020 had good, cool growing conditions with a wet October that luckily did not affect flowering. Very little rain and wind in November was ideal for berry set. Cool and dry conditions during ripening allowed tannins to develop without the accumulation of sugar, resulting in smooth, ripe tannins. Optimal conditions meant that harvesting took place as expected but we had to rush to finish ahead of the Covid lockdown.
Vinification details
Made only from Estate-grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Harvest parcels and clones are vinified separately. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in 100% French oak barrels (20% new, 20% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill, 40% 4th fill), in 300l barrels for 18 months.
