Five Soldiers 2025

Rustenberg, fact sheet (rustenberg.co.za – linket fra rustenberg.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 2025 Rustenberg Five Soldiers – område: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch; 100% Chardonnay; alkohol 13.5%; fadlagring 14 måneder, 76% nye fade. Enkeltmark ifølge arket: Five Soldiers. Producentens noter (engelsk): Introduction: The Five Soldiers vineyard is named after five tall stone pine trees called the “Five Soldiers” that tower over this site. Carefully selected Chardonnay bunches from this area are hand harvested for this special wine and then given royal treatment in the cellar. The final product is a very complex full-bodied wine, approachable in its youth however careful cellaring will exhibit the depth of the wine’s complexity and will reward patience. Vintage: The Winter of 2024 arrived later than usual, with the record rainfall and cold temperatures experienced in July allowing for the vineyards to transition into dormancy. This later than usual onset of dormancy resulted in late budding for many grape varieties. Budding and berry set were even, and the cooler, moderate and dry growing season set the scene for the vintage. There was a brief heat spike at the end of December, however, January was cool and dry with big day/night temperature changes, resulting in excellent acidity and freshness being a hallmark of the vintage. February and March were near perfect for ripening, being warm and dry with little disease pressure and no heat wave conditions to stress the vineyards at this crucial time. The result of these conditions was a remarkable, cellar-worthy vintage. The reds are some of the best seen since 2015 with excellent concentration, depth of colour and structure. The whites have wonderful flavour development, fruit intensity and freshness.