Description
This wine showcases vibrant characters of ripe citrus, melon, and peach, underscored by a striking minerality that adds depth. The well-judged oak brings a gentle warmth, rounding out the fruit profile without overpowering it.
A harmonious balance of acidity provides structure, while the creamy texture creates a luxurious mouthfeel. The complexity carries through to a long, satisfying finish, making it a wine that evolves with each sip.
A harmonious balance of acidity provides structure, while the creamy texture creates a luxurious mouthfeel. The complexity carries through to a long, satisfying finish, making it a wine that evolves with each sip.
The winter of 2016 was dry but cold, as drought conditions persisted in the Western Cape. Despite the drought, a warm, dry spring with minimal wind meant there was little disease pressure and limited stress on the vineyards aside from the heat.
Harvest began slightly earlier than usual, but it was 10 days later than the record-early start of the 2016 vintage. Careful use of irrigation to counter the dry drought conditions, along with cold nights during the first four months of the year, resulted in superb quality with excellent acidity, color, and flavor concentration in the wines. Early indications suggest that 2017 will be an exceptional vintage with strong aging potential.
Winemaker : Randolph Christians
Harvest began slightly earlier than usual, but it was 10 days later than the record-early start of the 2016 vintage. Careful use of irrigation to counter the dry drought conditions, along with cold nights during the first four months of the year, resulted in superb quality with excellent acidity, color, and flavor concentration in the wines. Early indications suggest that 2017 will be an exceptional vintage with strong aging potential.
Winemaker : Randolph Christians
Rustenberg has a wine-growing history dating back to 1682, when Roelof Pasman from Meurs, near the Rhine, recognised its wine-growing potential. By 1781 some 3000 cases of wine were produced on the farm. Production doubled by the end of the century and a new cellar was built. Wine has been bottled at this cellar for an unbroken period since 1892.
In the early 1800s Rustenberg was divided by owner Jacob Eksteen and a section was given to his son-in-law, who named it Schoongezicht and sold it soon after. Rustenberg and Schoongezicht were at their peak around 1812, with beautiful homesteads and flourishing vineyards. But by mid-century, recession coupled with disease in the vines, brought bankruptcy and dispossession.
Schoongezicht was rescued in 1892 by John X Merriman (who was to become Prime Minister of the Cape), and Rustenberg by his brother-in-law Sir Jacob Barry. Together they revitalised the farms. Fruit was sent to Covent Garden; new vines were grafted onto disease-resistant American rootstock; wines were exported to England and the Continent – and even found in Siberia.
In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg, later acquiring Schoongezicht and reuniting the properties. Their son Simon took over the running of the farm in 1987. The Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 60 years: the longest period any one family has owned the farm.
In the early 1800s Rustenberg was divided by owner Jacob Eksteen and a section was given to his son-in-law, who named it Schoongezicht and sold it soon after. Rustenberg and Schoongezicht were at their peak around 1812, with beautiful homesteads and flourishing vineyards. But by mid-century, recession coupled with disease in the vines, brought bankruptcy and dispossession.
Schoongezicht was rescued in 1892 by John X Merriman (who was to become Prime Minister of the Cape), and Rustenberg by his brother-in-law Sir Jacob Barry. Together they revitalised the farms. Fruit was sent to Covent Garden; new vines were grafted onto disease-resistant American rootstock; wines were exported to England and the Continent – and even found in Siberia.
In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg, later acquiring Schoongezicht and reuniting the properties. Their son Simon took over the running of the farm in 1987. The Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 60 years: the longest period any one family has owned the farm.
