Product Description
Varieties
100% Syrah
The Vineyard
Mediterranean climate with precisely 469mm rainfall during 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 7) produces the highest quality Syrah on the Estate.
It was planted in 1998 under clone SH21 in Tukulu soil which derives from Helderberg granite
and Table Mountain sandstone, with small deposits of iron stone, 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.
The Harvest
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 5,040 bottles were produced of this Single Vineyard Syrah.
Harvest Date: 12 Feb – 7 March 2016
The Cellar
Made from a designated Single Vineyard (Block 7) these Estate-grown grapes are picked and
sorted by hand. Each harvest-parcel is vinified separately. Destemmed, crushed and pumped into
open top fermentation tanks where they undergo a 14-21-day maceration period involving a 7-day
fermentation with pump-overs and manual punch-downs 2-4 times daily. Barrel maturation in
100% French oak barrels (50% new, 50% 2nd fill), in 500l barrels for 16 months.
Alcohol 14.27%
pH 3.61
Acidity 5.7 g/l
Res. Sugar 2.8 g/l
Aging Potential
10 to 15 years.
