ABV 14% Shiraz is a fairly newly introduced variety to Rustenberg, first planted in the late 1990s on warm west-facing slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain.This Shiraz has plenty of natural brambly red and black fruit on the well-defined nose. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine line of acidity, crisp tannins and expressive red berry fruit mixed with spice and cloves on the finish. Vintage conditionsFollowing a warm start to the year, the winter of 2015 was dry but cold enough to allow the estate’s vineyards to properly rest. A very warm, dry spring and summer resulted in an early bud-burst and record high temperatures in December and January brought forward the need to irrigate. As in 2015, the vintage started very early. In the middle of January Rustenberg was engulfed in fire as the entire Simonsberg mountain burnt, sadly destroying 5 hectares of the estate’s vineyards. Generally very low yields of concentrated fruit make the wines of the 2016 vintage upfront and opulent.Vinification detailsGrapes were hand-picked and crushed and de-stemmed on arriving at the winery. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump overs. After primary fermentation the wine was transferred to 98% French oak and 2% American oak barrels for 16 months’ maturation.AwardsIWSC 2018: SilverGreen credentialsAccredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
