Technical Specifications

Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2.7 g/L
pH 3.36
Total Acidity 5.6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Chardonnay
Chardonnay100%
Drinking Window 8+ years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite
Grapes Picked February 2025
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Malolactic Fermentation 100%
Oak Aging 8 months
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Details 25% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak25%
Oak Types French
Bottling Date December 2025
Fining Agents Isinglass & Bentonite
Production Details Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. The Winter of 2024 arrived later than usual, with the record rainfall and cold temperatures experienced in July allowing for the vineyards to transition into dormancy. This later than usual onset of dormancy resulted in late budding for many grape varieties. Budding and berry set were even, and the cooler, moderate and dry growing season set the scene for the vintage. There was a brief heat spike at the end of December, however, January was cool and dry with big day/night temperature changes, resulting in excellent acidity and freshness being a hallmark of the vintage. February and March were near perfect for ripening, being warm and dry with little disease pressure and no heat wave conditions to stress the vineyards at this crucial time. The result of these conditions was a remarkable, cellar-worthy vintage. The reds are some of the best seen since 2015 with excellent concentration, depth of colour and structure. The whites have wonderful flavour development, fruit intensity and freshness.
Tasting Notes
apricot, coconut, orange peel, marzipan, sponge cake, citrus
Sources (1)

Producer Information

Address
Rustenberg Wines, Rustenberg Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 809 1200
Owner
Barlow Family (Simon, Rozanne, Murray)
Cellarmaster
Murray Barlow

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