Rust en Vrede Estate Red Blend 2012
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Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Shiraz, 8% Merlot
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Winemaker: Coenie Snyman. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, this opens with bold, upfront aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and raspberry sauce that are framed by hints of cocoa, charred spice and pressed wild flowers. The texture is firm and young, with assertive tannins and fruit-skin flavors that hold on long through the finish alongside notes of tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. Drink 2018–2024.
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Wine Spectator
Polished in feel, offering blackberry and black currant confiture notes that stream through, gilded with anise and espresso accents. A charcoal hint hangs in the background, but the fruit holds center stage. Nicely done. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now through 2019. 4,837 cases made.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Estate Red is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Shiraz and 8% Merlot. That Shiraz component drives the nose with perfumed, pressed violet aromas dominating over any cedar and tobacco scents presumably imparted by the Bordeaux varieties. The palate is certainly well balanced with supple, lightly spiced red fruit with a grainy texture, touches of leather and spice infusing the satisfying finish. You could broach this now, or wait a couple more years for it to develop more secondary characteristics, but it does attest to some well judged winemaking.
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In 1991, President Nelson Mandela awarded the Merit award of export achievement to the estate. During this period, they tirelessly worked on building the Rust en Vrede brand into a world quality product. These efforts were rewarded in 1993 when President Mandela selected Rust en Vrede to be served at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize banquet.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa. The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines—a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions.
South Africa’s wine zones are divided into region, then smaller districts and finally wards, but the country’s wine styles are differentiated more by grape variety than by region. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is the country’s “signature” grape, responsible for red-fruit-driven, spicy, earthy reds. When Pinotage is blended with other red varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Pinot Noir (all commonly vinified alone as well), it is often labeled as a “Cape Blend.” Chenin Blanc (locally known as “Steen”) dominates white wine production, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc following close behind.