2020 Rust En Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon

Rust En Vrede is a beautiful estate of 55 hectares (about 136 acres) nestled on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch wine region. Established in 1694, it is one of the oldest estates in the Stellenbosch area and displays exquisite examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Known for consistently producing wines of high quality, Rust En Vrede is now considered to be one of the finest estates in South Africa producing full-bodied and complex wines that reflect the uniqueness of the Helderberg terroir.

In 1991, President Nelson Mandela bestowed the Merit award of export achievement to the estate. In 1993 President Mandela selected Rust En Vrede to be served at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize banquet.

The Rust En Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, picked and sorted by hand. Harvested grapes are destemmed, crushed and pumped into open top fermentation tanks for a 21-day maceration (maceration is the process by which the tannins, coloring agents and flavor compounds from the grape leach into the wine) with manual punch-downs 2-4 times each day. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months before being bottled.

The resulting wine is described by the winemaker thus, “Expressive black fruit jumps out of the glass. Juicy black cherry and cassis combine with blueberries, licorice and sandalwood. Full bodied and intense on the palate. Fine grained, grippy tannins balance well with a fresh, black-fruit acidity. Tobacco, nutmeg and savory spice bring complex layers to mulberry and bramble fruit that round out the palate. A typically well-structured Cabernet with excellent length.”

This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon that will pair well with steak, venison, lamb and hard cheeses.

This wine should cellar well for 10-15 years.