Rustenberg - Stellenbosch
crisp 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
These wines are designed to be easy drinking, medium-light bodied and structured, fruit forward wines that show all the hallmarks of Rustenberg quality, while being affordable. Rustenberg has a wine-growing history dating back to 1682
Rustenberg Wines, located on a farm founded in 1682, is one of Stellenbosch’s most historic, and beautiful, estates. The approach to the manor house takes visitors down a long lane overgrown with trees and greenery, and flanked on either side by trickling streams and fields full of Jersey cows. Upon arrival visitors are free to roam the grounds, including a fantastic garden with trickling pools and shaded alcoves, or explore the collection of neatly maintained buildings that speak of Rustenberg’s heritage as one of the Cape’s pioneering farms, before visiting the tasting room. Designed with opulent wood, a spiral staircase, and filled with art and inviting leather couches, the room is a comfortable retreat away from everyday life… compelling visitors to stay a while, quaffing by the crackling fire. Even though the estate has become iconic for its classically styled reds, as well as and outstanding example of Chardonnay, the tasting room still feels like a little out-of-the-way place, tucked away in the country.
But that may all be about to change with the latest stunning reviews of Rustenberg wines coming from Parker’s The Wine Advocate, one of the most highly influential and respected wine critique publications in the world.
Commending Rustenberg for a “strong, consistent portfolio of red and white wines based on classic varieties,” The Wine Advocate has recognised four Rustenberg wines with a score above 90 points. Top of Parker’s picks were the Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2007 and the John X Merriman 2008, both of which scored an impressive 93 points. The Peter Barlow is Rustenberg’s flagship red, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon, which Parker describes as “intriguing” with “good definition”. This wine was recently made famous as James Bond’s wine of choice in the latest 007 book, Carte Blanche – where Bond polishes off two bottles of the Peter Barlow 2005. The Rustenberg John X Merriman, the iconic and enormously popular Bordeaux blend, was also awarded a notable 93 points for the 2008 vintage. Parker comments that “it expresses commendable definition and freshness with a nice touch of austerity that should see it age over 7-10 years with ease.”
Also scoring a commendable 91 points each were the Rustenberg Five Soldiers 2008 and the Rustenberg Stellenbosch Syrah 2008. The Five Soldiers received particularly high praise, and is described in The Wine Advocate as “a Chardonnay with panache.” and the 2008 Syrah is hailed by Parker as “impressive.”
