Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2020

Rustenberg, fact sheet (rustenberg.co.za – linket fra rustenberg.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 2020 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay – område: Stellenbosch; 100% Chardonnay; alkohol 13.5%; fadlagring 8 måneder, 25% nye fade. Producentens noter (engelsk): Introduction: Rustenberg is a well-known producer of high quality Chardonnays and the Stellenbosch Chardonnay embodies our house style. Careful tending and selection in the vineyard followed by traditional wild barrel fermentation and maturation produces a classic Chardonnay balancing the expression of fruit, freshness, full malolactic fermentation and the influence of oak. Vintage: The 2020 vintage will be remembered as a good vintage produced under the spectre of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the globe. Fortunately the harvest was not impacted on Rustenberg by the government-sanctioned lockdowns, allowing all fruit to be picked and processed when ripe. A good winter in 2019 saw a return to average rainfall for the year. Two unusual weather events in the growing season, a large rainstorm and a heat wave, impacted some varietals flowering and berry set, however, in the context of the entire vintage these had a minor impact. Crop levels were up by 15% from the 2019 vintage, which saw a return to yields being average to slightly above average for most varietals. Quality wise, the white wines have superb acids and more moderate alcohols with wonderful fruit concentration, while the reds tend to be more medium-bodied with moderate alcohols, good freshness and supple tannins, potentially to be enjoyed earlier. Vineyards/winemaking: Extraction Method Whole Bunch Pressed Fermentation Vessel 300 Litre Oak Barrels Yeast Wild (Uninoculated) Lees Aging 10 Months Oak Aging 100% aged for 8 months Malolactic Fermentation Yes, 100% Age and Type of Oak 25% New French oak (Remainder 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak) Fining Agents Used Isinglass & Bentonite