This bottle was a gift from someone who came to one of my past wine tastings – thanks, Hugh. It already has a few accolades, including 91 points from James Suckling in 2023, 90 points from the Tim Atkin SA Report and a Gold Medal from the Michelangelo Wine and Spirits Awards .
At 14% ABV and aged for 15 months in French oak, this 2022 vintage was the largest in Rustenberg’s history.
The first thing to note is that this wine needs time to breathe. Whether in a decanter or simply left in the glass for at least half an hour, it’s worth the wait. Without that, the aromas and flavours remain quite muted.
The colour is a deep purple. Those who follow me will know I don’t usually find Malbecs particularly interesting, but the ones I do like tend to be outliers and this is one of them. Coming from South Africa rather than the usual Argentina, Chile or France already makes it a bit different.
A bit unconventional, I picked up something more Rioja-like rather than Malbec-like in its profile, a cherry note but with a subtle smoky aroma. It’s dry, medium-bodied, with plummy, fruity flavours and medium tannins. The longer it was open, the more it developed, becoming increasingly expressive. Available for £14.00 from Waitrose.
