John X Merriman

Slow-roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.

The Winter of 2023 was cold and wet, as was the season’s Spring, leading to the late budding of many varieties. While the excellent ground water availability was welcome, the early growing conditions were challenging due to the influence of rain. The resultant humidity, and at other times high winds, ultimately resulted in lower cropping levels. As Summer progressed, the influence of the El Nino weather phenomenon brought ideal warm, dry ripening conditions, as well as an early start and end to the vintage, a relief from the past few wetter harvests. The overall quality of the wines produced across the board in 2024 was superb.

100% aged for 20 Months. 35% New French barriques; 65% 2nd & 3rd fill.

Mechanically Destemmed & Sorted Followed by Hand Sorting. Whole-Berry Fermentation, Pumped Over During Ferment. Fermented in stainless steel tanks.

The Rustenberg Estate was founded in 1682 and is nestled in the valley of the Simonsberg Mountain in South Africa’s premium wine region Stellenbosch. Rustenberg’s rich heritage and ethos has been informed by many centuries of human influence striving to understand and work with nature to produce wines of distinct character true to their terroir variety and informed style.