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.
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 crimson with well-defined red and black cherry prominent on the nose. Dark chocolate, cedar and pencil shavings bring complexity and typicity to this Helderberg Cabernet. The palate is structured with fresh acidity and bold tannins that will balance each other well over time. Cherry notes carry through on the palate, growing in intensity and complexity with layered cassis, blackberry, liquorice and a pinch of black pepper.
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 were picked and sorted by hand. Each harvest-parcel and individual clones were vinified separately. Harvested grapes were destemmed, crushed and pumped into open top fermentation tanks where they underwent a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak 300L barrels (20% new, 20% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill, 40% 4th fill) 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
Opaque in colour with prominent aromas of cassis, blackberry, bramble and mulberry. The dark fruit is layered with savoury notes of cured meat and dried herbs. Rich fruit follows on the palate, sustained by fresh acidity and fine, mouth-coating tannins. Flavours of sandalwood, all spice, worn leather and pencil shavings add complexity and depth.
Vintage conditions
The vintage of 2018 was challenging because it was the fourth consecutive year of drought, bringing dry conditions with 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 towards the end of February meant a longer hang time, allowing for further flavour development. Despite the irrigation challenges and a smaller crop, 2018 bodes very well for high quality wines.
Vinification details
Made only from estate-grown grapes that were picked and sorted by hand. Each harvest parcel and individual clones were vinified separately. Harvested grapes were destemmed, crushed and pumped into open top fermentation tanks where they underwent a 21-day maceration period involving a 7-day fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation took place in 100% French oak 300L barrels (20% new, 20% 2nd fill, 20% 3rd fill, 40% 4th fill) for 18 months.
