Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.5%
Residual Sugar 1.7 g/L
pH 3.7
Total Acidity 6.2 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon100%
Region Stellenbosch
Soil Decomposed granite, Valsrivier, Bainsvlei
Grapes Picked March 1996
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel
Maceration 21 days
Oak Aging 20 months
Oak Details 100% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak100%
Oak Types French
Bottling Date January 1998
Extended Maceration Yes
Fining Agents Egg White (Albumen)
Production Details The ground work for a good vintage in 1996 was laid in the Winter of 1995 which allowed for plenty of ground water to be accumulated and for the wines to go into dormancy. Spring was perfect and the vintage was set to be the finest on record until rain struck in late January. Rigorous crop selection and yield reduction were required to ensure ripeness was achieved in the face of such a cool vintage. White wines from this vintage tend to be lighter and easier drinking in style with superb acid structures, while the reds are medium in body with supple tannins. The wine was crushed and de-stemmed, then pumped over during ferment. It underwent 20 months of oak aging in 100% new French oak barrels. The wine has an aging potential of 10 to 15 years from vintage under ideal cellaring conditions.
Critics Ratings John Platter Wine Guide: 5 Stars
John Platter Wine Guide5 Stars
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate92 Points
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Rustenberg Wines, Rustenberg Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 809 1200
Email
Owner
Barlow Family (Simon, Rozanne, Murray)
Cellarmaster
Murray Barlow