Rust en Vrede Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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Product Details
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Somm Note
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Wine Spectator
Delicious, with ripe red currant, raspberry and plum fruit laced with a bright savory note. Everything courses through the alder-edged finish. Focused and energetic. Drink now through 2020.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a ripe and dense yet well-balanced wine, offering forward aromas of boysenberry and deep, juicy red plum that are accented by notes of cocoa nib, roasted espresso and char. The palate boasts a plush texture, like crushed velvet, with gripping but not overly firm tannins and concentrated fruit flavors. Notes of licorice and earthy tobacco grace the long finish. Approachable now, but should evolve well through 2021.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Comparable to some of the New World's top efforts, the 2013 Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa shows loads of black fruits, displays a formidable richness on the palate, and finishes with a flow of supple, sweet tannins. Perfect with grilled meats now.
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2020-
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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.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
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.