Rupert & Rothschild Classique – South Africa

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES: Aromas of red plum raspberries and cherries are prominent layered with forest floor and oak spice expressed as toasted caramel and walnut. The palate has a fresh red fruit core with soft-textured tannins and good persistence. 2018 HARVEST: The grapes were hand-picked from the beginning of February to the end of March 2018. A season with lower than usual rainfall followed by a notably cooler ripening period led to smaller berries with a delicate expression of fruit. WINEMAKING: Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Pump overs of the skins occurred three times a day to ensure a soft and delicate extraction of colour and tannins. Selective post-fermentation skin contact was applied and the wine was drawn off for malolactic fermentation in cement tanks before maturation. MATURATION: Matured for 16 months in French oak barrels. The wine has an ageing potential of at least 7 years from vintage.