Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay (Case of 6)

Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2013 - Gold

Veritas Awards 2013 - Gold

This wine can be enjoyed in its youth or after careful cellaring.

100% Chardonnay

Situation: Simonsberg Mountain, Stellenbosch
Wine of Origin: Stellenbosch
Altitude: 300 - 450 m 
Distance From Sea: 8 - 26 km
Soil Type: Decomposed Granite (Tukulu / Hutton)
Root Stock: Richter 99 and 101/14
Age of Vines: 10 - 26 years
Trellising: Vertically shoot-positioned
Pruning: 2-Bud Spur-pruning
Irrigation: Drip irrigation

Vintage Conditions
Although we had a dry winter, there was plenty of water when required in the hot summer months to get the vineyards to mature naturally without undue stress.
Vineyards had perfect canopies - allowing optimum light penetration for the ripening of bunches and development of good colour. At harvest, perfect phenolic ripeness with lovely soft, ripe tannins was achieved. The berries came in at lovely low sugars due to cool conditions at harvest, awesome colour and great quality berries.

The grapes for Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay were selectively hand-harvested between the 1st and 28th February. at 22.2 - 24.3° Balling and total acids of 6.0 - 8.45 g/l.

The grapes were whole-bunch pressed very slow and gently with a Pneumatic Bag Press. After 24 hours cold settling in stainless steel tanks, the juice was drained off into 40% new and 60% 2nd-fill Burgandian Hogsheads (300L barrels) for natural fermentation and maturation. Bi-weekly stirring (Batonnage) was exercised to enhance the extraction of flavour and aromatics, and to aid the process of natural malolactic fermentation. After 12 months, the wine was racked from barrel for stabilization and bottling.