News> RUST EN VREDE IN WINE SPECTATOR'S TOP 100 - Tuesday, December 09, 2003

Wine Spectator honours the 2000 Estate Blend

For an incredible fourth consecutive year, Rust en Vrede have made the Top 100 Wines of the World in the definitive Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2003. With every passing year at the top, Rust en Vrede set new records as being the only South African producer ever to achieve such a notable track record - and one of very few internationally too. This year, the new 2000 vintage of the Estate blend was again singled out as a Top 100 wine - with 92 points out of 100.

Locally, this wine has also received consistent acclaim with a Trophy at the Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show (the highest scorer in its 90-plus point category), and a full 5-stars in the 2004 John Platter South African Wine Guide.

These awards are the result of the focus on consistency that is a hallmark of Rust en Vrede's approach. Owner Jean Engelbrecht and Louis Strydom, the winemaker, work meticulously to ensure that the quality of the wines from the estate is matched by its consistency, year in and out. The Estate blend is the focus of this drive to excellence, a wine that captures all the power, elegance and structure of Rust en Vrede. Comments Jean: 'We at Rust en Vrede feel honoured to be present in such esteemed company. We are also immensely proud to be named alongside Neil Ellis and Mulderbosch representing South Africa in this years' Top 100.

Over the past months, the momentum of this focus has resulted in some notable achievements. Rust en Vrede was invited to participate in Wine Spectator's Grand Tour, where the world's best wineries do a 'road show' to various American cities. Included were many of the world's most notable wineries, including Bordeaux first-growth Châteaus Lafite Rothschild, Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild; California's Beringer, Caymus, Diamond Creek and Opus One; Burgundy's Louis Jadot; the Rhône's E. Guigal; Italy's Angelo Gaja, Ornellaia and Sassicaia; and many more.

Proud as the team are of these achievements, they are secondary to the essential work at hand. At Rust en Vrede, all energies remain directed towards maintaining the high levels of quality that keep Rust en Vrede one of the Cape's 'first growth' wineries. 'To achieve the highest level of quality in the premium category, and to do it consistently, is the goal for the Estate Wines of Rust en Vrede,'says Louis Strydom.The future is mapped out for this skilful and energetic team with all energies ultimately being directed towards one wine - The Rust & Vrede Estate Blend.