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
▸ 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