Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2022  £19.18

RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CHARDONNAY

Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies their house style. A traditionally made, barrel fermented Chardonnay, the Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay is a combination of complexing factors from the vineyard, wild yeast and careful barrel age, aiming for balance and expression in each vintage.

The 2019 vintage was a challenging one for the Rustenberg team. While the winter of 2018 was a welcome break from the previous four winters of drought, most vineyards had not fully recovered and produced below average yields. A warm snap in June and a wet Spring, coupled with a wetter than average Summer harvesting season made 2019 a challenge, with some late harvest thinning or multiple harvests of the same vineyard required to achieve uniformity. Early and mid-season ripening varieties performed well, all achieving flavour ripeness at lower alcohol levels, while late ripening varieties required patience and extended time on the vines, again achieving lower alcohols overall, but creating ripe, structured wines

Apricot, coconut and orange peel aromas followed by flavours of marzipan, sponge cake and citrus rounded off with carefully judged oak and balanced, fresh acidity

2019 not yet reviewed, but this is what they said about the 2018...

91 Points -  Platters Guide

Youthful 2018 still displaying primary lemon-lime, nutty & creamy-lees tones. Rich texture, flavours & oak (25% new, 300L) complementary partners, controlled, freshened by firm acid. All confidently structured to benefit from ageing.

Wine tasted by Angela Lloyd.