Rustenberg, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Rustenberg, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
- White Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.5%
- Sauvignon Blanc
What a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc. A superb effort from Murray Barlow and his team. Coming from the regions highest vineyards the acidity is protected and is the freshness of the fruit. The nose is bursting with Sauvignon aromas of tropical fruits while still retaining those notes of gooseberry and grass. Hints of passionfruit emerge with oxygen and the crisp, fresh palate is incredible. A wine not to be missed.
The grapes were harvested by hand and vinification was in inert stainless steel tanks. Aged on its lees for 2 or 3 months without the slightest hint of oak, it has wonderful complexity and depth of flavour.
- ❖ ABV: 13.5%
Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage report
The 2023 growing season in Stellenbosch was shaped by a relatively cool, dry summer, which gave growers the kind of measured ripening that makes viticulturalists quietly optimistic. Rainfall was well-distributed early in the season, building good vine reserves without encouraging disease pressure, and the harvest came in at a sensible pace rather than a panic. The result was fruit with genuine freshness alongside ripe tannins — the sort of balance that doesn't happen by accident.
Across the board, 2023 produced wines with real definition. Cabernet Sauvignon and the Bordeaux blends that Stellenbosch does so well have come out with firm but finely grained structure and the kind of concentrated dark fruit that rewards patience. Chenin Blanc and Syrah also performed strongly, with Syrah in particular showing the peppery, muscular character the cooler sites here do better than almost anywhere else. Most reds will drink well from now but have the architecture to develop further — we'd give the serious Cabernet-based wines until at least 2028 to 2032 before calling them truly ready.
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Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.