2025 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2.7 g/L
pH 3.36
Total Acidity 5.6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked February 2025
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Bottling Date December 2025
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. The Winter of 2024 arrived later than usual, with the record rainfall and cold temperatures experienced in July allowing for the vineyards to transition into dormancy. This later than usual onset of dormancy resulted in late budding for many grape varieties. Budding and berry set were even, and the cooler, moderate and dry growing season set the scene for the vintage. There was a brief heat spike at the end of December, however, January was cool and dry with big day/night temperature changes, resulting in excellent acidity and freshness being a hallmark of the vintage. February and March were near perfect for ripening, being warm and dry with little disease pressure and no heat wave conditions to stress the vineyards at this crucial time. The result of these conditions was a remarkable, cellar-worthy vintage. The reds are some of the best seen since 2015 with excellent concentration, depth of colour and structure. The whites have wonderful flavour development, fruit intensity and freshness.
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
2024 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 3.32 g/L
pH 3.32
Total Acidity 5.28 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked February 2024
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre Oak Barrels
Bottling Date December 2024
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
Critics Ratings James Suckling: 92
James Suckling92
International Wine Challenge91
Tim Atkin SA Report90
2023 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.11%
Residual Sugar 3.3 g/L
pH 3.43
Total Acidity 5.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 20% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak20%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre Oak Barrels
Bottling Date November 2023
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. The 2023 vintage marked another vintage influenced by the La Niña weather phenomenon. The Autumn of 2022 was dry with below average and variable rainfall throughout the Winter. Spring too was dry, but cool, however, a massive cold front in December brought much needed rain, but increased disease pressure. This lead up to harvest set the scene for a challenging vintage and lower crop sizes. The early heatwaves experienced in January, as opposed to usually occurring in February, brought the white cultivars into line with their average picking dates and all of the white grapes were picked before the unseasonal rains experienced in late February and March. The cooler growing season and lower crops resulted in good acidity and concentration to the wines, while the warm lead up to harvest has given white wines from this vintage a burst of ripe fruit. All things considered, it was another good white wine vintage despite the challenging growing season. VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioned), 2 Node Spur Pruned. Minimal Drip Irrigation. Hand Picked in February 2023. Whole Bunch Pressed. Wild (Uninoculated) yeast. 100% aged for 8 months. 20% New French oak (Remainder 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak).
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake
2022 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 3.1 g/L
pH 3.39
Total Acidity 5.6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked February 2022
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre Oak Barrels
Bottling Date November 2022
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. The winter of 2021 was 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. These cold conditions meant that the white varietals had very healthy acid levels going into the harvest, while the abundance of water increased yields. From the middle of December onwards the weather warmed up considerably with three heatwaves being experienced in January and one in February. This warm weather helped ripen the fruit fully and we picked slightly later than average. 2022, is an excellent white wine vintage. It has the freshness of the cool growing season combined with the fruit expression of a warm end to the vintage and moderate alcohols thanks to the higher yields. The vintage ended late April and was the biggest and longest vintage in Rustenberg's history.
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake
Critics Ratings International Wine & Spirits Competition: 95 Gold Medal
International Wine & Spirits Competition95 Gold Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards92 Silver Medal
James Suckling91
Tim Atkin SA Report90
International Wine Challenge90 Silver Medal
2021 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 2.2 g/L
pH 3.3
Total Acidity 5.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked February 2021
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre
Bottling Date November 2021
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details 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. White grape yields were lower than average due to the impact of the weather during critical stages in fruit development. The white wines from the vintage ripened two weeks later than in 2020 and achieved full ripeness at lower sugar levels; producing wines with lower alcohols, excellent acidity and brilliant flavour development. Yields were higher than average in the reds 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. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak.
Tasting Notes
Nose: apricot, coconut, orange peel
Palate: marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
Critics Ratings International Wine & Spirits Competition: Silver Medal - 94 Points
International Wine & Spirits CompetitionSilver Medal - 94 Points
Decanter World Wine AwardsSilver Medal - 92 Points
James Sucking92 Points
The Wine Spectator91 Points
Winemag.co.za – Christiaan Eedes91 Points
Tim Atkin SA Report90 Points
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate90 Points
2020 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2 g/L
pH 3.4
Total Acidity 5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked January 2020
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre
Bottling Date September 2020
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. 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 on Rustenberg 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 white wines have superb acids and more moderate alcohols with wonderful fruit concentration, while the reds tend to be more medium-bodied with moderate alcohols, good freshness and supple tannins, potentially to be enjoyed earlier.
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
Critics Ratings Tim Atkin MW South African Report: 91 Points
Tim Atkin MW South African Report91 Points
Decanter World Wine AwardsSilver Medal – 91 Points
Old Mutual Trophy Wine ShowSilver Medal – 90 Points
2019 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 2 g/L
pH 3.4
Total Acidity 5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked January and February 2018
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 10 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300 Litre
Bottling Date September 2019
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. 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.
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
Critics Ratings Decanter World Wine Awards: 93
Decanter World Wine Awards93
Tim Atkin SA Wine Report92
Shop prices
| Reference | Vintage / size | Price / bottle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine-SearcherLWIN 1140280 | — | — | wine-searcher.com ↗ |
Producer Information
Website
Address
Rustenberg Wines, Rustenberg Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 809 1200
Email
Owner
Barlow Family (Simon, Rozanne, Murray)
Cellarmaster
Murray Barlow