Company: Rustenberg
Style: Shiraz
Abv: 14%

The Stellenbosch Shiraz is comprised of a blend of fruit from four different vineyards, aiming for a pleasing ripeness but avoiding overripe “porty” characters. Red fruits are emphasised with a slightly sweeter profile than the more savoury Syrah.

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.

INTRODUCTION
Shiraz is a fairly newly introduced variety to Rustenberg, first planted in the late 1990's on warm West-facing slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain it has rapidly made its mark in a number of wines and blends. The Stellenbosch Shiraz exhibits all the hallmarks of great Shiraz: red and dark fruits and a touch of spice in a wine that is medium bodied, approachable and designed to be enjoyed in its youth. We recommend decanting this wine before serving.

VINTAGE
Following a warm start to the year, the Winter of 2015 was dry but cold enough to allow our 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.