Grenache, Rustenberg
Grenache, Rustenberg
In its youth the wine exhibits very attractive red fruit flavours, such as strawberry and cherry, along with a wonderful pepper spice. As the wine ages it will reveal a more savoury fruit profile.
Vintage: 2017
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Grape Varieties: Grenache 100%
Alcohol by Volume: 14%
Bottle Size: 75cl
While Grenache Noir was first planted on Rustenberg in 2001, this wine is a brand new addition to their regional range, launched with the 2015 vintage.
The winter of 2016 was dry but cold as drought conditions persisted in the Western Cape. Despite the drought, a warm, dry spring and little wind meant that there was little disease pressure and little stress on the vineyards beyond the heat. Harvest started slightly earlier than usual but was 10 days later than the record early start of the 2016 vintage. Careful use of irrigation to offset the dry drought conditions and cold nights experienced during the first four months of the year resulted in superb quality, and wonderful acidity, colour and flavour concentration in the wines.
Grapes were hand-picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump overs and an extended maceration of up to seven days. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to old French barriques for 12 months’ maturation.