Estate Vineyards Syrah

Goes well with a simply cooked rack of lamb with green beans.

Cool, wet conditions during the winter of 2020 replenished water reserves and provided sufficient water to saturate soils and return water levels to pre-drought levels. This resulted in very vigorous growth in the vineyards, meaning careful vineyard management was required, especially to curb vigorous growth during spring. Flowering and fruit set conditions were ideal, with an average crop set, followed by a moderate growing season. We then experienced a cool ripening season in 2021, with late ripening and minimal precipitation during the harvest period. Ideal conditions that allowed grapes to ripen slowly, retaining good acidity while developing phenolics.

Wine is matured in 500L French oak barrels for 18 months using a combination of 16% new and 84% seasoned oak.

Estate grown grapes are hand-harvested and partially destemmed, with 15% of the grapes kept as whole bunches. Fermentation takes place in open top fermenters with manual punch-downs and pump-overs performed 2 to 4 times daily. Maceration continues for 14 to 21 days. Parcels and clones are vinified separately.

Established in 1694 Rust en Vrede is proud to be part of a remarkable three hundred year old wine tradition. Since 1977 the Engelbrecht family has specialized in the exclusive production of red wine with the focus on Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Proprietor Jean Engelbrecht has worked to establish Rust en Vrede as one of South Africa’s premium red wine estates with full-bodied and complex wines that reflect the uniqueness of the Helderberg terroir.