2010 Rust en Vrede Estate Wine

The 2010 Estate Red is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Shiraz and 7% Merlot and fermented and raised in oak barrels for 18 months. It has a tightly wound bouquet with broody dark plum and boysenberry scents that carry the oak well. The palate is fleshy and ripe with sweet tannins, fine acidity and a sprinkle of espresso toward the finish. Fine. This is an attractive, approachable red Stellenbosch. Drink now-2017. Like Kanonkop, Rust En Vrede is one of South Africa’s stalwarts whose wines have improved leaps and bounds in recent vintages. I say stalwart, though winemaking had virtually ceased at the homestead back in the 1920s and only resurrected when purchased by Jannie Engelbrecht in 1978. I was intrigued to learn in Tim James’s excellent recent book (see introduction) that there were hygiene problems in the old barrel cellar, though this was remedied by turning it into a well reputed restaurant. Also, James opined that the wines are “ripe, powerful, and often with a definite sweetness” i.e. aimed squarely at the American market. I must confess that as someone renowned for being sensitive to overbearing, overripe wines, I have not found this to be the case at Rust en Vrede and indeed, examining the analysis during my tasting, the alcohol level hovered around 15%, as I would expect given location and grape varieties. Modern in style, finely crafted and packed full of flavors, Rust en Vrede’s wines are worth pursuing. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900