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Merlot, Rustenberg

Rustenberg
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Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
2.6
pH
3.48
Acidity
5.7
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Merlot has been a mainstay red grape variety on Rustenberg since the late 1970s where its lead role has been to complement Cabernet Sauvignon in blends.
Tasting note

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to smooth palate that is both balanced and well rounded with fine grained tannins. This wine can be enjoyed now or will benefit from maturation in ideal cellar conditions.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Murray Barlow
Fined Using
Egg White
Closure
Cork
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

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 harvest was not impacted by the government- anctioned 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 white wines have superb acids and more moderate alcohols with wonderful fruit concentration.

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 20% new and 80% second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 11 months’ maturation.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
3.0
pH
3.49
Acidity
5.6
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Merlot has been a mainstay red grape variety on Rustenberg since the late 1970s where its lead role has been to complement Cabernet Sauvignon in blends.
Tasting note

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Murray Barlow
Fined Using
Egg White
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

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 20% new and 80% second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 11 months’ maturation.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
3.2
pH
3.47
Acidity
6.0
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Merlot has been a mainstay red grape variety on Rustenberg since the late 1970s where its lead role has been to complement Cabernet Sauvignon in blends.
Tasting note

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Murray Barlow
Fined Using
Egg white
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

Vintage conditions

2018 was impacted by the fourth year of the ongoing drought in the region. The 2017 winter was cold and dry, followed by a dry spring and summer with bouts of unusual weather. A number of thunderstorms resulted in a late onset of additional vigour in the vineyards. Unsettled weather and wind during flowering, along with a freak hail storm and low levels of soil moisture decreased yields by 20% to 50%. The harvest began closer to its average start date and the smaller berries and bunches yielded lower juice volumes per ton. The lower yields resulted in the wines showing excellent concentration and body, producing rich, robust reds.

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 20% new and 80% second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 11 months’ maturation.

 

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
2.5
pH
3.52
Acidity
5.9
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Merlot has been a mainstay red grape variety on Rustenberg since the late 1970s where its lead role has been to complement Cabernet Sauvignon in blends.
Tasting note

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Yes
Winemaker
Murray Barlow
Fined Using
Egg white
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
No

Vintage conditions

Following a warm start to the year, the winter of 2015 was dry but cold enough to allow the estate’s vineyards to properly rest. A very warm, dry spring and summer resulted in an early bud-burst and record high temperatures in December and January brought forward the need to irrigate. As in 2015, the vintage started very early. In the middle of January Rustenberg was engulfed in fire as the entire Simonsberg mountain burnt, sadly destroying 5 hectares of the estate’s vineyards. Generally very low yields of concentrated fruit make the wines of the 2016 vintage upfront and opulent.

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 20% new and 80% second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 16 months’ maturation.

 

Technical Analysis
Alcohol
14.0
Residual sugar
3.2
pH
3.57
Acidity
5.8
Download Specification Sheet Download Full Size Images
Merlot has been a mainstay red grape variety on Rustenberg since the late 1970s where its lead role has been to complement Cabernet Sauvignon in blends.
Tasting note

Rich aromas of blackberries, cassis, eucalyptus and dark chocolate follow through to a smooth palate that is both balanced and well-rounded with fine grained tannins.

Origin
South Africa
Variety
Merlot
Malolactic Fermentation
Yes
Bottle Size
75cl
Vegetarian
Blank
Winemaker
Murray Barlow
Fined Using
Egg
Closure
Screw top
Region
Stellenbosch
Vegan
Blank

Vintage conditions

The cold wet winter of 2014 started early and ended late, which was 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

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 20% new and 80% second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-fill French 225L oak barrels for 16 months’ maturation.