Rust en Vrede Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Background
Established in 1694, Rust en Vrede is proud to be part of a remarkable three hundred-year-old wine tradition. Since 1977 the Engelbrecht family has specialized in the exclusive production of red wine, with the focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Proprietor Jean Engelbrecht has worked to maintain Rust en Vrede as one of South Africa’s premium red wine estates, with full-bodied and complex wines that reflect the uniqueness of the Stellenbosch terroir.

Tasting Notes
The epitome of the Helderberg and what it means for Cabernet Sauvignon fruit show in this wine. Decidedly dense black fruit, such as brambles and blackcurrant combine effortlessly with tobacco, forest floor, graphite and smokiness on the nose and the palate. It is a muscular wine where the concentration of the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit matches the tannin and spice brought on by the skins and oak. It finishes firm and fresh. It’s a complex, moreish wine that allows 2016 to show its fruit.

Ageing Potential: 10 to 15 years.
Serving temperature: 14 to 16° Celsius.
Date tasted: 9 March 2019

Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Rust en Vrede Estate, Stellenbosch

Harvest Date: 24th and 27th March 2016

Analysis:
Alcohol 14.22%
pH 3.59
Acidity 6.2g/l
Res. Sugar 2.7g/l

Oak:
Malolactic Fermentation in Barrel. 22 months in 100% French oak with 50% new 300l medium toast barrels.

Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Viticulturist: Dirkie Mouton

Climate & Soil
Mediterranean climate with precisely 469mm rainfall during the vintage growing season. Rust en Vrede is a warmer microcosm in the Helderberg area, which is why we specialize in reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which lend themselves to full-bodied wines with powerful structure. This Single Vineyard (Block 4) produces the highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon on the Estate and comprises of two clones: 46C and CS163. Planted in 2000 in Tukulu soil which derives from Helderberg granite and Table Mountain sandstone, with small deposits of ironstone, showing good water retention which allows for only moderate vine stress during dry years. A higher amount of sandstone allows more drainage which results in weaker growth and more intense wines, carefully monitored and supplemented by drip irrigation.

Vintage
Extreme dry and warm conditions in the summer months resulted in drip irrigation being used,
with a maximum winter rainfall of 469mm much lower than the average 712mm. It was a vintage that was monitored extremely closely in the vineyard. The heat & dry conditions resulted in reduced berry size and earlier ripening. Harvest started on the 3rd of February, a week earlier than 2015. The 2016 vintage is well structured with a lighter body and linear fruit expression.

Only 3020 bottles were produced of this Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.