2024 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 3 g/L
pH 3.45
Total Acidity 5.75 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton, Tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2024
Fermentation Vessels French Oak Hogshead Barrels
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 14 months
Oak Details 72% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak72%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date June 2025
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details The Five Soldiers vineyard is named after five tall stone pine trees called the "Five Soldiers" that tower over this site. Carefully selected Chardonnay bunches from this area are hand harvested for this special wine and then given royal treatment in the cellar. The final product is a very complex full-bodied wine, approachable in its youth however careful cellaring will exhibit the depth of the wine's complexity and will reward patience. 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. The white wines of this vintage have excellent acidity, thanks to the cool start to the season and express fully ripe fruit, a benefit of the warmer second half of Summer in the lead up to and during the harvest season. Trellising/Pruning System: VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioned), 2 Node Spur Pruned. Irrigation Type: Minimal Drip Irrigation. Lees Aging: Aged On Lees For Duration Of Oak Aging. Age and Type of Oak: 72% New Burgundian 300L Hogsheads (Remainder 2nd fill).
Tasting Notes
ripe citrus, melon, peach, minerality, well-judged oaking, complex, long finish, creamy finish, good acid backbone
2023 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.89%
Residual Sugar 3.6 g/L
pH 3.53
Total Acidity 5.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton and tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2023
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 14 months
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date June 2024
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details The 2023 vintage was influenced by the La Niña weather phenomenon, resulting in a dry Autumn 2022 and Winter. A cold front in December brought rain, increasing disease pressure. Early heatwaves in January led to earlier picking dates for white grapes. The cooler growing season and lower crops contributed to good acidity and concentration, while a warm lead-up to harvest provided ripe fruit. The wine is a complex, full-bodied Chardonnay, hand-harvested and given royal treatment in the cellar, approachable in its youth but rewarding with careful cellaring.
Tasting Notes
ripe citrus, melon, peach, minerality, creamy finish, good acid backbone
2022 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 2.7 g/L
pH 3.4
Total Acidity 5.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton and tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2022
Vine Age 10+ years from vintage
Fermentation Vessels 300 Litre French Oak Hogshead Barrels
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 15 months
Lees Aging 15 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types Burgundian
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date June 2023
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Aged on lees for duration of oak aging. 10+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions.
Tasting Notes
citrus, melon, peach, great minerality, rounded oak, complex, long finish, creamy finish, good acid backbone
2021 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2.3 g/L
pH 3.49
Total Acidity 5.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton and tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2021
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Natural Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 15 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date July 2022
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details The Five Soldiers vineyard is named after five tall stone pine trees. Carefully selected Chardonnay bunches are hand harvested and given royal treatment in the cellar. The final product is a very complex full-bodied wine, approachable in its youth, but careful cellaring will exhibit depth and complexity. The 2021 vintage was produced with COVID-19 challenges. The winter of 2020 started late after a warm autumn and was cold with plenty of rain. Cool and wet conditions extended into spring and summer, resulting in slow, steady, stress-free vineyard growth and fruit development. White grape yields were lower than average due to weather impact during critical fruit development stages. White wines ripened two weeks later than in 2020, achieving full ripeness at lower sugar levels, producing wines with lower alcohols, excellent acidity, and brilliant flavor development. These well-structured wines, with moderate alcohols and good acidity, show plenty of potential to age. Aged on lees for the duration of oak aging. 100% aged for 15 months. 70% new Burgundian 300L hogsheads (remainder 2nd fill).
Tasting Notes
ripe citrus, melon, peach, minerality, complex, long finish, creamy finish, good acid backbone
2020 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2.3 g/L
pH 3.53
Total Acidity 5.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 10+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Hutton and tukulu
Grapes Picked February 2020
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 15 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types Burgundian French Oak
Barrel Size 300L Hogsheads
Bottling Date July 2021
Fining Agents Isinglass, Bentonite
Production Details The Five Soldiers vineyard is named after five tall stone pine trees. Carefully selected Chardonnay bunches are hand harvested and given royal treatment in the cellar. The final product is a very complex full-bodied wine, approachable in its youth, however careful cellaring will exhibit the depth of the wine's complexity and will reward patience. The 2020 vintage was a good vintage produced under the spectre of the COVID-19 pandemic. The harvest was not impacted on Rustenberg by government-sanctioned lockdowns, allowing all fruit to be picked and processed when ripe. A good winter in 2019 saw a return to average rainfall. 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. Winemaking involved whole bunch pressing, fermentation in 300 Litre French Oak Hogshead Barrels with wild (uninoculated) yeast. Aged on lees for the duration of oak aging. 100% aged for 15 months. 100% malolactic fermentation. 70% new Burgundian 300L Hogsheads (remainder 2nd fill). Fining agents used were Isinglass & Bentonite.
Tasting Notes
ripe citrus, melon, peach, minerality, well-judged oaking, complex, long finish, creamy finish, good acid backbone
Critics Ratings Decanter World Wine Awards: Gold Medal
Decanter World Wine AwardsGold Medal
Winemag.co.za95
Tim Atkin SA Report93
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate91+
Shop prices
| Reference | Vintage / size | Price / bottle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine-SearcherLWIN 1140293 | — | — | 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