WINE TASTING NOTE: 2018 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Shiraz
Would you like to have tasting notes for your own personal tasting of this wine, either to develop your own palate or share information with friends at a dinner party? If so, click below!
From a family owned historic estate in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, this is an extremely well priced sipper that is perfect for a mid week meal, or a gift for friends who enjoy easy going wine that they can pair with roasted meats or BBQ. At $16.95 CDN, some might say this is a steal. If they do, don’t tell that I actually found it for about $12 CDN at my local liquor shop, on a manager’s special! At this price point, this wine is undoubtedly a real steal!
A few things worth noting about this wine is that it is from the Rustenberg Wines “Regional” range and is meant for relatively early enjoyment, as opposed to long cellaring. This wine is made with fruit from four different sites on the slopes of the Simonsburg Mountain. This wine has been made with 100% Shiraz grapes, fermented in stainless steel and then matured for 16 months in primarily french oak. These elements, along with the conditions of the 2018 harvest, have come together to result in a Shiraz that has lovely complexity whilst still being very approachable and food friendly.
My Tasting Notes:
The 2018 Rustenberg Stellenbosch Shiraz has a deep ruby-purple hue in the glass. This is a dry wine, with only 3 g/L of residual sugar, and medium to medium plus acidity. Tannins are present and noticeable but the wine is nicely balanced, with no sharp edges and the 14% ABV level is barely perceptible. A rich and full bodied wine, this wine delivers ample red and black fruit, floral and spice aromas on the nose followed by lovely sweet red and black fruit, clove, cinnamon and hints of dark chocolate on the palate.
A wine to be enjoyed now, or 2-3 years into the future. Watch this wine open up and transform the longer it sits in your glass or a decanter, if you are drinking it now.
Wine it up a notch by pairing this wine with lamb chops, roast beef or aged cheddar and charcuterie. Yum! :)
Cheers, Friends!
