Technical Analysis
Rustenberg's Red Muscadel has been made using a centuries-old process of fortifying grape juice in order to produce a dessert-style wine.
Tasting note
Upfront scents of Turkish delight, musk, spice and ripe red fruits follow through to a lush opulent palate balancing the wine's fruit, sweetness and acidity. This very stable sweet wine has the ability to be aged further under ideal cellaring conditions and it will become richer and more concentrated over time.
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
Rustenberg’s Red Muscadel has been made using a centuries-old process of fortifying grape juice in order to produce a dessert-style wine. Grapes are harvested at high sugar levels, gently pressed and the juice fortified with neutral grape and twice-distilled brandy spirit. This addition preserves the natural flavours of the juice while ensuring that no fermentation can take place in the wine, also preserving the natural sugar from the grape juice.
Technical Analysis
Rustenberg's Red Muscadel has been made using a centuries-old process of fortifying grape juice in order to produce a dessert-style wine.
Tasting note
Upfront scents of Turkish delight, musk, spice and ripe red fruits follow through to a lush opulent palate balancing the wine's fruit, sweetness and acidity. This very stable sweet wine has the ability to be aged further under ideal cellaring conditions and it will become richer and more concentrated over time.
Vintage conditions
The cold wet winter of 2014 started early and ended late, which is ideal for the vineyards’ dormancy; however an unseasonably cool spring resulted in the vines going into summer with 10 to 40% less crop than usual. The remainder of the season was warm and dry resulting in one of the earliest harvests on record. Zero disease pressure and small crops of fantastic ripe fruit combined with high natural acids make this potentially the vintage of the decade.
Vinification details
Rustenberg’s Red Muscadel has been made using a centuries-old process of fortifying grape juice in order to produce a dessert-style wine. Grapes are harvested at high sugar levels, gently pressed and the juice fortified with neutral grape and twice-distilled brandy spirit. This addition preserves the natural flavours of the juice while ensuring that no fermentation can take place in the wine, also preserving the natural sugar from the grape juice. Aged for three months in old French oak barrels.
