Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Aromas of pineapple and yellow pear follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus.
Vintage Conditions
The 2025 winter delivered good rainfall across Stellenbosch, replenishing soil moisture levels and ensuring healthy vineyard reserves ahead of the growing season. Budburst occurred under favourable conditions, with even shoot growth and balanced canopy development. Spring was moderate, with limited wind events and low disease pressure, promoting healthy fruit set and vineyard growth while laying the groundwork for a larger than average crop. December and January were warm and dry, tempered by regular cooling maritime influences and cool night temperatures, allowing for gradual flavour development while retaining natural acidity. Harvest was the earliest on record and
conditions were largely ideal, with stable weather and excellent fruit health. Stellenbosch received small amounts of rain to help refresh the vineyards in February and March, considerably less than other regions where it caused disease pressure. White wines from the vintage show remarkable purity of fruit, body, vibrant aromatics and freshness.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 2 months.
AWARDS
IWSC: Silver 90 pts
Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Aromas of pineapple and yellow pear follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus.
Vintage Conditions
The Winter of 2024 arrived later than usual, with the record rainfall and cold temperatures experienced in July allowing for the vineyards to transition into dormancy. This later than usual onset of dormancy resulted in late budding for many grape varieties. Budding and berry set were even, and the cooler, moderate and dry growing season set the scene for the vintage. There was a brief heat spike at the end of December, however, January was cool and dry with big day/night temperature changes, resulting in excellent acidity and freshness being a hallmark of the vintage. February and March were near perfect for ripening, being warm and dry with little disease pressure and no heat wave conditions to stress the vineyards at this crucial time. The result of these conditions was a remarkable, cellar-worthy vintage. The reds are some of the best seen since 2015 with excellent concentration, depth of colour and structure. The whites have wonderful flavour development, fruit intensity and freshness.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 2 months.
AWARDS
IWC: Silver
DWWA: Silver
Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Aromas of pineapple, orange blossom & yellow pear follow through to the palate which is crisp, textured and complemented by characters of citrus
Vintage Conditions
The Winter of 2023 was cold and wet, as was the season’s Spring, leading to the late budding of many varieties. While the excellent ground water availability was welcome, the early growing conditions were challenging due to the influence of rain. The resultant humidity, and at other times high winds, ultimately resulted in lower cropping levels. As Summer progressed, the influence of the El Nino weather phenomenon brought ideal warm, dry ripening conditions, as well as an early start and end to the vintage, a relief from the past few wetter harvests. The overall quality of the wines produced across the board in 2024 was superb. The white wines of this vintage have excellent acidity, thanks to the cool start to the season and express fully ripe fruit, a benefit of the warmer second half of Summer in the lead up to and during the harvest season.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 3 months.
Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Tropical fruits, with underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit on a fresh, crisp and palate with prodigious length.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 2 months.
AWARDS
James Suckling.com: 92 pts
Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Aromas of pineapple and yellow pear follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus.
Vintage conditions
The 2021 vintage was produced with the challenges of COVID-19 ever present. The winter of 2020 started late after a warm autumn and was cold with plenty of rain. The cool and wet conditions extended well into spring, through summer and much of the harvest season. The result of these conditions was slow, steady, stress free vineyard growth and fruit development. White grape yields were lower than average due to the impact of the weather during critical stages in fruit development. The white wines from the vintage ripened two weeks later than in 2020 and achieved full ripeness at lower sugar levels; producing wines with lower alcohols, excellent acidity and brilliant flavour development. These well-structured wines with moderate alcohols and good acidity should show plenty of potential to age.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 2 months.
Technical Analysis
A relatively young project, with grapes sourced from 4 different bush vine blocks, ageing between 20-35 years old, this is the Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa.
Tasting note
Aromas of pineapple and yellow pear follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus.
Vintage conditions
The 2019 vintage was a challenging one for the Rustenberg team. While the winter of 2018 was a welcome break from the previous four winters of drought, most vineyards had not fully recovered and produced below average yields. A warm snap in June and a wet Spring, coupled with a wetter than average Summer harvesting season made 2019 a challenge, with some late harvest thinning or multiple harvests of the same vineyard required to achieve uniformity. Early and mid-season ripening varieties performed well, all achieving flavour ripeness at lower alcohol levels, while late ripening varieties required patience and extended time on the vines, again achieving lower alcohols overall, but creating ripe, structured wines.
Vinification details
The grapes are hand picked, crushed, de-stemmed and pressed into stainless steel tanks. Using a combination of cultured yeast and wild fermentation, the wine is left on the lees for 2 months.
