Technical Analysis
The flagship wine of Rust en Vrede, Estate Wine is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot in a full-bodied and complex wine that truly reflects its terroir.
Tasting note
Deep ruby with inviting aromas of mulberry, blackberry, and cassis, with subtle hints of dried herbs, mocha, and graphite adding quiet depth. On the palate, fresh, ripe fruit carries through, supported by balanced acidity and fine tannins. A touch of red cherry adds a lively note, while notes of tobacco and spice lend subtle layers, making for an elegant, focused, and beautifully harmonious wine with a lingering finish. 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 7% Merlot
(Magnums available)
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. Bud-break was slightly later than usual, but higher than normal rainfall at critical times during flowering and fruit set was good for the 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
Estate-grown grapes are hand-harvested and sorted, with parcels and clones vinified separately. Twenty percent of the Syrah is fermented as whole clusters. Fermentation takes place in open-top tanks with a 21-day maceration, including a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2–4 times daily. The Cabernet Sauvignon is matured in 300L French oak barrels, while the Syrah is matured in 500L French oak barrels for 18 months. Oak regime is 100% French oak (20% new, 20% second fill, 20% third fill, 40% fourth fill).
AWARDS
DWWA: Silver
Technical Analysis
The flagship wine of Rust en Vrede, Estate Wine is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot in a full-bodied and complex wine that truly reflects its terroir.
Tasting note
Distinctive crème de cassis, ripe black cherries, sandalwood, cinnamon
and a hint of red cherry combine to provide a layered and complex nose.
Focussed and harmonious on the palate, with fine grained, coating
tannins, a fresh, sour cherry acidity, and flavours of cassis, leather and
dried Italian herbs. Concentrated blackcurrant and chocolate on the long
finish. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Syrah, 10% Merlot.
(Magnums available)
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 only from Estate grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Each variety, harvest parcel and individual clone is vinified separately. An average of 8 tons per hectare is harvested, destemmed, crushed, and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks. The must undergoes a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation takes place in 100% French oak barrels (20% new, 20% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill and 40% 4th fill), in 300l barrels for 18 months.
AWARDS
Platter: 94 pts
DWWA: Gold
Decanter: 90 pts
Technical Analysis
The flagship wine of Rust en Vrede, Estate Wine is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot in a full-bodied and complex wine that truly reflects its terroir.
Tasting note
Dense yet defined aromas of dark chocolate, black currant, black cherries and sandalwood on the nose. Sweet fruit on entry followed by an enticing combination of Black Forest gateaux, cedar, baking spices, and toast. Fresh acidity and fine-grained but grippy tannins provide structure, balanced by intense, spicy blackberry compote that lingers on the finish. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, 8% Merlot.
(Magnums available)
Vintage conditions
The 2020 vintage 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 under pressure to finish ahead of the Covid lockdown.
Vinification details
Made only from Estate grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Each variety, harvest parcel and individual clone is vinified separately. An average of 8 tons per hectare is harvested, destemmed, crushed, and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks. The must undergoes a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation takes place in 100% French oak barrels (40% new, 40% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill), 30% in 500l & 70% in 300l barrels for 22 months.
AWARDS
Platter: 94 pts
DWWA: Silver
Wine Advocate: 93 pts
Technical Analysis
The flagship wine of Rust en Vrede, Estate Wine is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot in a full-bodied and complex wine that truly reflects its terroir.
Tasting note
Distinctive aromas of crème de cassis, Black Forest gateaux and sandalwood give way to subtle vanilla and nutmeg spice. Chalky, fine grained tannins reveal the structure of the blend and provide a rounded mouth feel. Flavours of black cherry and toast are balanced by well-integrated acidity. Restrained on the palate, showing some potential for aging, with a soft, savoury finish. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon 32% Syrah, 9% Merlot
Vintage conditions
Unusually warm late-winter and early-spring temperatures resulted in a smaller crop for the 2019 vintage. Cooler days and nights allowed slower sugar accumulation while phenolics kept developing. Picking times were strongly influenced by fruit development, and the continuing cool summer resulted in a waiting game for the fruit. The late harvest coincided with a cold and rainy autumn, making it a challenging vintage in both the vineyard and cellar.
Vinification details
Made only from Estate grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Each variety, harvest parcel and individual clone is vinified separately. An average of 8 tons per hectare is harvested, destemmed, crushed, and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks. The must undergoes a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation takes place in 100% French oak barrels (40% new, 40% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill), 30% in 500l & 70% in 300l barrels for 22 months.
Technical Analysis
The flagship wine of Rust en Vrede, Estate Wine is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot in a full-bodied and complex wine that truly reflects its terroir.
Tasting note
Rich cassis and mulberry with cedar and tobacco reveal Cabernet as the backbone to the blend, after which fresh red and black cherry with black pepper spice show the Syrah component. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Syrah and 9% Merlot make up the blend. Intense fruit flavours are layered with mocha, Christmas cake, sandalwood and leather, bringing complexity to the wine. Fresh, fruity acidity balances the firm, coating tannins, culminating in a clean, dry finish that indicates good ageing potential.
Vintage conditions
The vintage of 2018 was challenging as it was the fourth consecutive year of drought, with very dry conditions and water restrictions. Careful water management was essential, but the benefit of the dry weather meant very healthy vines. The dry conditions also resulted in smaller berries, which in turn provide excellent colour and flavour intensity. Cooler nights at the end of February meant longer hang time, allowing further flavour development. Despite irrigation challenges and a smaller crop, 2018 bodes very well for high-quality wines
Vinification details
Made only from Estate grown grapes that are picked and sorted by hand. Each variety, harvest parcel and individual clone is vinified separately. An average of 8 tons per hectare is harvested, destemmed, crushed, and pumped into open-top fermentation tanks. The must undergoes a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation takes place in 100% French oak barrels (40% new, 40% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill), 30% in 500l & 70% in 300l barrels for 22 months.
