Rustenberg has three wines among South Africa’s Top 100

AS ONE OF the Cape’s ‘First Growths’ with a history of winemaking going back to the 1700s and uninterrupted since 1892, Rustenberg in Ida’s Valley and on the slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch has not been resting on its laurels. Far from it. The Barlow family stands out as one of South Africa’s Top 20 producers as regards dry reds and whites as well as sweet wines over the past 10 years. The farm commands Top 10 status when it comes to Cabernet and Chardonnay, plus very good credentials behind the names of other flagships including a Bordeaux-style red blend and a Straw Wine/Vin de Paille (dessert wine made from dried grapes).

During the past couple of years alone, Rustenberg has enjoyed good reviews virtually across the entire range. Victory as Most Successful Producer at the 2015 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show included plaudits for the 2009 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, the first vintage of the estate’s No 1 red after the departure of former cellarmaster Adi Badenhorst who is now doing his own thing in the Swartland.

Since owner Simon Barlow’s son Murray came on board as cellarmaster, top-rated wines according to various panels around the globe have included the following:

Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2010 – Gold Medals from Decanter, Mondial and Veritas, Double Gold from Michelangelo, Highly Recommended by Platter’s
Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2011 – Top 12 in Shiraz SA Challenge

Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2010 – Gold Medals from Trophy Wine Show and Veritas, Four Stars from Winemag, Highly Recommended by Platter’s
Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2011 – Four Stars from Winemag, Highly Recommended by Platter’s, Double Gold from Veritas, Trophy from Trophy Wine Show
Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2012 – Four Stars from Winemag, Trophy from Trophy Wine Show

John X Merriman 2010 – Gold Medal from Veritas
John X Merriman 2011 – 4 Stars from Classic Wine

Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – 4 Stars from Winemag
Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – 5 Stars from Winemag, Trophy from Trophy Wine Show

Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 – Gold Medal from Michelangelo

Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2011 – Gold Medal from Michelangelo
Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2012 – Gold Medals from Michelangelo and Veritas
Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2013 – Double Gold Medal from Veritas

Stellenbosch Syrah 2011 – Gold Medal from Trophy Wine Show
Stellenbosch Syrah 2012 – Gold Medal from International Wine & Spirit Competition

Straw Wine 2009 – 4 Stars from Classic Wine
Straw Wine 2011 – 4 Stars from Classic Wine, Gold Medals from Decanter and International Wine Challenge, Double Gold from Veritas

Unwooded Chardonnay 2014 – Gold Medal from Mondial

For all of the top ratings achieved by Rustenberg wines in recent years and for the cellar-door prices, click here.

Scenic driveway at Rustenberg