Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
Rich aromas of red and black fruits, cedar, and clove, with lively acidity and velvety tannins. Outstanding balance of oak integration and fruit weight, with a long finish.
Vintage conditions
The Winter of 2023 was cold and wet, as was the season’s Spring, leading to the late budding of many varieties. While the excellent ground water availability was welcome, the early growing conditions were challenging due to the influence of rain. The resultant humidity, and at other times high winds, ultimately resulted in lower cropping levels. As Summer progressed, the influence of the El Nino weather phenomenon brought ideal warm, dry ripening conditions, as well as an early start and end to the vintage, a relief from the past few wetter harvests. The overall quality of the wines produced across the board in 2024 was superb.
Vinification details
Grapes were hand-picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Whole berry fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump overs and an extended maceration of up to two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (61% new, 39% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 20 months’ maturation.
AWARDS
International Wine Challenge: Silver 92 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 96 pts
Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
Rich aromas of red and black fruits, cedar, and clove, with lively acidity and velvety tannins. Outstanding balance of oak integration and fruit weight, with a long finish.
(Magnums available - enquire for vintage)
Vintage conditions
The winter of 2021 was very cold and wet following a warm autumn. Bud burst was late and the cold, wet weather continued into Spring, requiring careful disease and canopy management. The cool, wet weather extended until the middle of December, delaying the growing season for the red varietals in Stellenbosch. From the middle of December onwards the weather warmed up considerably with three heatwaves being experienced in January and one in February. Despite this warmer weather the red wine harvest required patience as the tannins took some time to fully ripen. March and April were moderate temperature-wise and we experienced the odd shower. The decision to delay harvesting was rewarded with excellent concentration and ripeness in the red wines. The marathon vintage ended in late April and was the biggest and longest vintage in Rustenberg’s history.
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 two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (61% new, 39% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 20 months’ maturation.
AWARDS
International Wine Challenge: Silver
Vinous: 92 pts
James Suckling: 93 pts
DWWA: Silver 90 pts
IWSC: Silver 92 pts
Tim Atkin MW: 95 pts
Platter 93 pts
Wine Advocate: 93 pts
Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
Concentrated cassis, black cherries and some herbaceous characteristics on the nose and palate.
(Magnums available - enquire for vintage)
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-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 two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (64% new, 36% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 20 months’ maturation.
Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
Concentrated cassis, black cherries and some herbaceous characteristics on the nose and palate.
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 two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (64% new, 36% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 24 months’ maturation.
Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
The oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the estate is named the Peter Barlow block and consistently produces powerful, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon that is given the best possible treatment in the cellar. Concentrated cassis, black cherries and some herbaceousness can be found on the nose and palate. Rustenberg recommend decanting Peter Barlow before drinking.
Vintage conditions
This vintage 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 two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (64% new, 36% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 24 months’ maturation.
Technical Analysis
Peter Barlow bought the Rustenberg farm in 1941, reuniting the property, restoring its buildings and investing in its potential to make world class wines.
Tasting note
The oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the estate is named the Peter Barlow block and consistently produces powerful, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon that is given the best possible treatment in the cellar. Concentrated cassis, black cherries and some herbaceousness can be found on the nose and palate. Rustenberg recommend decanting Peter Barlow before drinking.
Vintage conditions
The winter of 2016 was dry but cold as drought conditions persisted in the Western Cape. Despite the drought, a warm, dry spring and little wind meant that there was little disease pressure and little stress on the vineyards beyond the heat. Harvest started slightly earlier than usual but was 10 days later than the record early start of the 2016 vintage. Careful use of irrigation to offset the dry drought conditions and cold nights experienced during the first four months of the year resulted in superb quality, and wonderful acidity, colour and flavour concentration in the wines. Indications are that 2017 will be an excellent vintage with plenty of potential to age well.
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 two weeks. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to oak barriques (64% new, 36% second- and third-fill French oak barrels) for 24 months’ maturation.
