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
▸ 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