Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2023 is a Stellenbosch white built in a richer, cellar-minded style, where ripe fruit, acidity, minerality, and oak are brought into careful balance. This is not a lean, purely citrus-driven Chardonnay. It has breadth and texture, but it also keeps its line, which is what gives the wine both immediate appeal and the structure to age well. For drinkers looking for a premium South African Chardonnay with substance and precision, this is a convincing example.
The nose and palate move through citrus, ripe melon, and juicy peach, with a refined mineral note giving the wine extra definition. Oak is thoughtfully integrated, adding shape and depth rather than dominating the fruit, while the texture is creamy without becoming heavy. Bright acidity carries the wine through a long, lingering finish and gives it the energy needed to stay focused. It would pair especially well with roasted poultry, creamy seafood dishes, or aged cheeses, where its richness and freshness can work together naturally at the table.
Already highly expressive, this is a Chardonnay with the balance and structure to evolve steadily over time, gaining further nuance as the fruit, acidity, and oak continue to knit together.
The nose and palate move through citrus, ripe melon, and juicy peach, with a refined mineral note giving the wine extra definition. Oak is thoughtfully integrated, adding shape and depth rather than dominating the fruit, while the texture is creamy without becoming heavy. Bright acidity carries the wine through a long, lingering finish and gives it the energy needed to stay focused. It would pair especially well with roasted poultry, creamy seafood dishes, or aged cheeses, where its richness and freshness can work together naturally at the table.
Already highly expressive, this is a Chardonnay with the balance and structure to evolve steadily over time, gaining further nuance as the fruit, acidity, and oak continue to knit together.
The growing season began with a very cold, wet winter following a warm autumn, leading to late budburst and a cool spring that required careful disease and canopy management. These conditions preserved healthy acidity in the white varieties, while good water availability increased yields. Warmer conditions from mid-December onward, including several heatwaves, helped bring the fruit to full ripeness, and the grapes were picked slightly later than average. This combination of a cool season and warmer finish produced fruit with freshness, expressive ripeness, and moderate alcohol. The result is a Chardonnay with both energy and depth, shaped by a long, balanced vintage.
Winemaker: Murray Barlow
Winemaker: Murray Barlow
Founded in 1682 and nestled in the valley of the Simonsberg in South Africa’s premium wine region, Stellenbosch. Rustenberg’s rich heritage and ethos has been informed by many centuries of human influence striving to understand and work with nature to produce wines of distinct character true to their terrior, variety and informed style.
