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 Platter's Wine Guide: 93 Points – 4.5 Stars
Platter's Wine Guide93 Points – 4.5 Stars
Tim Atkin MW South African Report91 Points
Decanter World Wine AwardsSilver Medal – 91 Points
Old Mutual Trophy Wine ShowSilver Medal – 90 Points
▸ Sources (1)
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