News> South Africa's first red wine only Estate


Spec's Warehouse - State of Texas, USA ( bear@specsonline.com ) Over much of my career in the wine business, South African wines were embargoed due to apartheid. Since the embargo was lifted with the change of government in South Africa, I've needed to "get current" with what is going on with wine in South Africa. Getting current entails reading and research ... and tasting.

Over the last year, I've tasted a lot of South African wine. There have been a some good wines and some fine values (Goats do Roam, Guardian Peak, and Cathedral Cellars come readily to mind). And there have been more-than-a-few that ranged from "blah" to "really awful". (Just this week I tasted a range of fourteen wines where only two were good enough to be considered even palatable. That is not the case with Rust en Vrede wines. Rust en Vrede is South Africa's first red-wine-only winery. Their ultimate goal is make a great wine and a second wine (both blends) from the estate in the way that, say Ch. Margaux, makes a
grand vin (Ch. Margaux) and a second wine (Pavillon Rouge du Ch. Margaux) and sells off the rest of the property's production in bulk. Rust en Vrede is working with two Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) as well Syrah. They feel their best wine is a blend of these three varieties. While they are waiting for these varieties to mature. Three varietal wines are made along with the top wine labeled simply "Rust en Vrede Estate".

When I tasted these wines (along with a number of other wines) with Manny Guerra of Robert Hass Selections, he served a great cool weather recipe - Braised Lamb Shank - that he got from a cable cooking show. The wines showed so well against the braised lamb shanks I'm including that recipe in this UPDATE. Here are my tasting notes on the four Rust en Vrede wines.

RUST en VREDE Merlot, Stellenbosch Estate, 1998
12x750ml $11.69 $129.46
(100% Merlot) Full of juicy dark cherry and mixed dark berry fruit, this is a lively, balanced Merlot that hints at tobacco and earth. Has plenty of flavor and a juicy texture. Really lasts in the mouth. Fine.
SPEC's Score: 90 points.


RUST en VREDE Shiraz, Stellenbosch Estate, 1998
12x750ml $16.89 $187.06
(100% Syrah) The nose is full of pencil shavings and black fruit. The palate is deep, rich, and alive with a lovely mix of fruit and tannin giving a balanced, juicy, dusty, medium-to-full-bodied texture and a fine feel in the mouth. It really lasts in the mouth. Quite delicious and particularly lovely with the lamb. Excellent.
SPEC's Score: 91 points.


RUST en VREDE Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch Estate, 1998
12x750ml $28.60 $316.80
(100% Cabernet Sauvignon) Here is a solid, delicious, satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with classic black cherry and berry fruit accented with dusty oak and pencil shavings and hints of black pepper and tobacco. Rich and balanced in the mouth with a great feel. Really lasts with dark fruit and fruit perfume to the end of the finish. Excellent.
SPEC's Score: 93 points.


RUST en VREDE "Estate", Stellenbosch Estate, 1999
6x750ml $29.99 $166.25
This blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, and 9% Merlot (according to the fact sheet, the web-site says 60-30-10), results in a succulent, lively, juicy wine full of mixed dark berry fruit with subtle notes of wood, earth, spice, and mixed mepper. It is well integrated and complete with a lovely balance and a super texture and feel in the mouth. This is the real deal and easily the best South african Wine I've tasted to date. Excellent.
SPEC's Score: 94+ points.