Rustenberg BRAMPTON Viognier Stellenbosch RSA

Brampton is a range of wines from Rustenberg that are more fruit driven in a new world style than the classic Rustenberg range. The Brampton name comes from Brampton Beacon Bloomer, the Jersey Bull, whose porgeny form part of the famous Jersey herd that roam the Rustenberg estate. During the last few years Rustenberg have transformed themselves from a distinguished producer on the local scene to a new era South African standard setter on the international stage. Continual vineyard improvements, a new winery, tasting and storage facility and one of the Cape's hottest young winemakers in Adi Badenhorst, are all driven by owner Simon Barlow's vision of 'absolute passion and total dedication to quality in both the vineyard and cellar'. A belnd of 97% Shiraz and a littl Viognier was crushed together. An array of small batches were fermented and treated separately, including some batches that were aged on Viognier lees. In total 14 Different parcels were blended and after 9 months the difference in treatments and careful blending make this a very interesting and complex wine. The rich, savoury character of Shiraz is enhanced by Viognier, adding an aromatic dimension to the wine. Earth, pepper-spice and hints of dark chocolate support the richness of ripe fruit, due to accessible tannin structure. (12 x 75 cl)

Brampton is a range of wines from Rustenberg that are more fruit driven in a new world style than the classic Rustenberg range. The Brampton name comes from Brampton Beacon Bloomer, the Jersey Bull, whose porgeny form part of the famous Jersey herd that roam the Rustenberg estate. During the last few years Rustenberg have transformed themselves from a distinguished producer on the local scene to a new era South African standard setter on the international stage. Continual vineyard improvements, a new winery, tasting and storage facility and one of the Cape's hottest young winemakers in Adi Badenhorst, are all driven by owner Simon Barlow's vision of 'absolute passion and total dedication to quality in both the vineyard and cellar'. This wine is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot with a little 9% Shiraz. Here, all the batches of grapes were hand-picked and vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. After primary fermentation batches were transferred to small French oak for Malolactic fermentation. Regular rackings were carried out during the first year of maturation. Batches were blended for the final phase of maturation, using small French & American oak barrels. Upfront spice of cloves and nutmeg are complemented by ripe, red fruit aromatics where raspberries and strawberries dominate. The palate is well constructed in this medium bodied wine as the aromas follow through and integrate beautifully with subtle, dark chocolate and oak spice flavours. Available in Magnum bottles.

Brampton is a range of wines from Rustenberg that are more fruit driven in a new world style than the classic Rustenberg range. The Brampton name comes from Brampton Beacon Bloomer, the Jersey Bull, whose porgeny form part of the famous Jersey herd that roam the Rustenberg estate. During the last few years Rustenberg have transformed themselves from a distinguished producer on the local scene to a new era South African standard setter on the international stage. Continual vineyard improvements, a new winery, tasting and storage facility and one of the Cape's hottest young winemakers in Adi Badenhorst, are all driven by owner Simon Barlow's vision of 'absolute passion and total dedication to quality in both the vineyard and cellar'. This Unoaked Chardonnay is a pleasurable drink, since the delicate fruit of this variety is preserved and emphasised. Typical aromas are poached pears, white peach, winter melon and ginger spice. These are complimented by a well constructed palate that is rich and full flavoured. (12 x 75 cl)

Rustenberg BRAMPTON Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch RSA from South Africa, Stellenbosch by Rustenberg Powerful Reds (12 x 75 cl)

Brampton is a range of wines from Rustenberg that are more fruit driven in a new world style than the classic Rustenberg range. The Brampton name comes from Brampton Beacon Bloomer, the Jersey Bull, whose porgeny form part of the famous Jersey herd that roam the Rustenberg estate. During the last few years Rustenberg have transformed themselves from a distinguished producer on the local scene to a new era South African standard setter on the international stage. Continual vineyard improvements, a new winery, tasting and storage facility and one of the Cape's hottest young winemakers in Adi Badenhorst, are all driven by owner Simon Barlow's vision of 'absolute passion and total dedication to quality in both the vineyard and cellar'. Handpicked and chilled overnight once the grapes arrive in the winery, the fruit is then crushed, destemmed and pressed to tank, while some batches submitted to skin contact for 6-8 hours. Cool Fermentation is undertaken for 3-4 weeks in stainless steel tanks, to retain prodigious fruit character, the wine is then blended and stabilised before bottling. A zesty upfront wine in true New World style. Passionfruit, Gooseberry, Litchi and Asparagus aromas follow through to a full, lively palate. The fleshy well-rounded mouthfeel derives from grapes harvested at optimum ripeness. (12 x 75 cl)

This rich red wine, has spicy oak and ripe cassis, blackcurrant and cherry aromas, all complemented by an approachable and seamless tannin structure. This wine is complex and multi-layered. During the last few years Rustenberg have transformed themselves from a distinguished producer on the local scene to a new era South African standard setter on the international stage. Continual vineyard improvements, a new winery, tasting and storage facility and one of the Cape's hottest young winemakers in Adi Badenhorst, are all driven by owner Simon Barlow's vision of 'absolute passion and total dedication to quality in both the vineyard and cellar'. Just over l00 ha are planted to mainly red wines on the rich red granitic southern slopes of the Simonsberg mountains as well as the cooler climate Nooitgedacht vineyards on the Helderberg, principally planted to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. While the Rustenberg Peter Barlow single vineyard Cabernet recently won rave ratings from Robert Parker as '...may be the finest red wine I have tried from South Africa', it is the Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc 'John X Merriman' that is perhaps the wine that most epitomises the estate's red prowess and international aspirations (6 x 75 cl)

Grape Varieties: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting note: This wine displays the most wonderful and complex nose (12 x 75 cl)

Rustenberg has a wine-growing history dating back to 1682, when Roelof Pasman from Meurs, near the Rhine, recognised its wine-growing potential. By 1781 some 3000 cases of wine were produced on the farm. Production doubled by the end of the century and a new cellar was built. Wine has been bottled at this cellar ever since in an unbroken period dating back to 1892. Earlier in its history Rustenberg was split in two, the additional vineyard being named Schoongezicht. Rustenberg was its peak around 1812, with beautiful homesteads and flourishing vineyards, but by mid-century, recession coupled with disease in the vines, brought bankruptcy and dispossession. Schoongezicht was rescued in 1892 by John X Merriman , and Rustenberg by his brother-in-law Sir Jacob Barry. Together they revitalised the farms, fruit was sent to Covent Garden; new vines were grafted onto disease-resistant American rootstock; while wines were exported to England and the Continent. In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg, later acquiring Schoongezicht and reuniting the properties. Their son Simon took over the running of the farm in 1987, while the Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 60 years, it is the longest period any one family has owned the farm. This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc where traditional fermentation was undertaken. With regular oxidative pumpovers employed to maximise colour extraction and assist in tannin polymerization it has enabled the grapes to express the Rustenberg terroir. Malolactic fermentation and maturation in French barriques followed and the wine was bottled 20 months later using 225L 50% new French oak barrels. Well rounded wine which will increase in complexity and character with bottle age as is customary of Rustenberg's red wines. Aromas of spice and red fruit balanced by fine, elegant tannins (12 x 75 cl)

The classic French merlot is grown on the highest points on the farm It is deep ruby red, clear and brilliant. On the nose, an intense red berry character dominates, with oak aromas well evident in the background. The palate follows the nose, and is medium-bodied, with good berry-fruit flavours and a lengthy aftertaste. A wine with remarkable softness yet with excellent maturation potential. Enjoy this elegant, flavoursome wine on its own, or as the perfect accompaniment to rich stews and roasts. Serve at room temperature . (12 x 75 cl)