Technical Analysis
The Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc is grown at some of the highest altitudes that vineyards are grown in the Stellenbosch region; just over 550m above sea level.
Tasting note
Melon, white peach, gooseberry, and underlying tones of pineapple. Rich, rounded palate with well-integrated oak.
Vintage information
The 2023 vintage marked another vintage influenced by the La Niรฑa 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.
Vinification details
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed, de-stemmed and pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels with a wild yeast. Following fermentation, the wine spent six month on its lees in 12% new oak, 88% 2nd- and 3rd-fill, prior to bottling.
AWARDS
Tim Atkin MW: 90 pts
IWC: Silver
James Suckling: 92 pts
Platter:90 pts
Technical Analysis
The Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc is grown at some of the highest altitudes that vineyards are grown in the Stellenbosch region; just over 550m above sea level.
Tasting note
Intrinsic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of melon, white peach, gooseberry, and underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit, sustained on a rich, rounded palate with well integrated oak.
Vintage conditions
The 2019 vintage was a challenging one for the Rustenberg team. While the winter of 2018 was a welcome break from the previous four winters of drought, most vineyards had not fully recovered and produced below average yields. A warm snap in June and a wet Spring, coupled with a wetter than average Summer harvesting season made 2019 a challenge, with some late harvest thinning or multiple harvests of the same vineyard required to achieve uniformity. Early and mid-season ripening varieties performed well, all achieving flavour ripeness at lower alcohol levels, while late ripening varieties required patience and extended time on the vines, again achieving lower alcohols overall, but creating ripe, structured wines.
Vinification details
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed, de-stemmed and pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels with a wild yeast. Following fermentation, the wine spent six month on its lees in 12% new oak, 88% 2nd- and 3rd-fill, prior to bottling.
Technical Analysis
The Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc is grown at some of the highest altitudes that vineyards are grown in the Stellenbosch region; just over 550m above sea level.
Tasting note
Intrinsic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of melon, white peach, gooseberry, and underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit, sustained on a rich, rounded palate with well-integrated oak.
Vintage conditions
The 2019 vintage was a challenging one for the Rustenberg team. While the winter of 2018 was a welcome break from the previous four winters of drought, most vineyards had not fully recovered and produced below average yields. A warm snap in June and a wet spring, coupled with a wetter than average summer harvesting season made 2019 a challenge, with some late harvest thinning or multiple harvests of the same vineyard required to achieve uniformity. Early- and mid-season-ripening varieties performed well, all achieving flavour ripeness at lower alcohol levels, while late-ripening varieties required patience and extended time on the vines, again achieving lower alcohols overall, but creating ripe, structured wines.
Vinification details
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed, de-stemmed and pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels with a wild yeast. Following fermentation, the wine spent six month on its lees in 12% new oak, 88% 2nd- and 3rd-fill, prior to bottling.
Technical Analysis
The Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc is grown at some of the highest altitudes that vineyards are grown in the Stellenbosch region; just over 550m above sea level.
Tasting note
Intrinsic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics of melon, white peach, gooseberry, and underlying tones of pineapple and passion fruit, sustained on a rich, rounded palate with well-integrated oak.
Vintage conditions
This vintage was impacted by the fourth year of the ongoing drought in the region. The 2017 winter was cold and dry, followed by a dry spring and summer, with bouts of unusual weather. A number of thunderstorms resulted in a late onset of additional vigour in the vineyards. Unsettled weather and wind during flowering, along with a freak hail storm and low levels of soil moisture decreased yields by 20% to 50%. The harvest began closer to its average start date and the smaller berries and bunches yielded lower juice volumes per ton. The lower yields resulted in the wines showing excellent concentration and body, producing fruit forward, expressive whites.
Vinification details
After hand harvesting, the grapes were crushed, de-stemmed and pressed before fermentation in French oak barrels with a wild yeast. Following fermentation, the wine spent six month on its lees in 12% new oak, 88% 2nd- and 3rd-fill, prior to bottling.
