Technical Analysis
Malbec has found a welcoming home in Stellenbosch, flourishing along with the other Bordeaux red varietals that the region is renowned for.
Tasting note
In its youth the wine exhibits very attractive purple hues with dark fruit flavours, such as plum, blackberry and violets, along with pepper and tobacco. As the wine ages it will reveal a more savoury fruit profile.
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. Â Yields were higher than average in the red varieties and the slow ripening season saw excellent flavour and tannin development. These well-structured wines with moderate alcohols and good acidity should show plenty of potential to age
Vinification details
Grapes were hand picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs and an extended maceration of up to seven days. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to 10% new and 90% second-, third- and fourth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 15 months’ maturation.
Technical Analysis
Malbec has found a welcoming home in Stellenbosch, flourishing along with the other Bordeaux red varietals that the region is renowned for.
Tasting note
In its youth the wine exhibits very attractive purple hues with dark fruit flavours, such as plum, blackberry and violets, along with pepper and tobacco. As the wine ages it will reveal a more savoury fruit profile.
Vintage conditions
The 2020 vintage will be remembered as a good vintage produced under the spectre of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the globe. Fortunately, the Rustenberg harvest was not affected by the government-sanctioned lockdowns, allowing all fruit to be picked and processed when ripe. A good winter in 2019 saw a return to average rainfall for the year. Two unusual weather events in the growing season, a large rainstorm and a heat wave, impacted some varietals flowering and berry set, however, in the context of the entire vintage these had a minor impact. Crop levels were up by 15% from the 2019 vintage, which saw a return to yields being average to slightly above average for most varietals. Quality wise, the reds tend to be more medium-bodied with moderate alcohols, good freshness and supple tannins, potentially to be enjoyed earlier.
Vinification details
Grapes were hand picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs and an extended maceration of up to seven days. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to 10% new and 90% second-, third- and fourth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 15 months’ maturation.
Technical Analysis
Malbec has found a welcoming home in Stellenbosch, flourishing along with the other Bordeaux red varietals that the region is renowned for.
Tasting note
In its youth Rustenberg's Malbec exhibits very attractive purple hues with dark fruit flavours such as plum, blackberry and violets, along with pepper and tobacco. As the wine ages it will reveal a more savoury fruit profile.
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
Grapes were hand picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs and an extended maceration of up to seven days. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to 10% new and 90% second-, third- and fourth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 15 months’ maturation.
