Wine Tasting - Rustenberg - 1115

This was our second tasting of the day and took place at about 11.30am. The winery can be found at http://www.rustenberg.co.za/ and you can find the photos I took at http://www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/idurrellmeister . The tasting room is laid out very well as a bar and you choose six wines to taste from the list of wines that you are given. Not all wines on the list are available to be tasted but nevertheless there is a good selection. You choose your six wines for tarsting and the first one is then served to you very much in the manner of being at a normal bar, They use very interesting "tasting" glassesith hollow stems. This allow you to roll the glass horizontally on the bar top to oxygenate the wine.

1. Brampton Sauvignon Blanc 2008 R43

A bit sweet for a Sauvignon Blanc. Very easy to drink. Fairly long lasting. Some structure there.

2. Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2007 R120

Goes to top of the pallet. Not as much nose as I expected. A pale perhaps green tinged colour rather than the more familiar shades of cream and yellow. Citrony taste. A hint of oak but less than I expected for a 12months oaked wine.

3. Brampton Viognier 2007 R48

Peppery. Pale colour. Lots of feeling/taste which I liked but could not identify though not really fruity. A fair amount of aftertaste.

4. Brampton Shiraz 2006 R48

I wrote peppery three times in the notes so I guess I found it peppery. It was also long lasting, smooth but yet with a lot of tannins. I also noted warming and liquorice.

5. Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 R48

What I describe as the dirt smell which I think maybe the smell of black truffles. Not too pronounced on this wine. Colour was good. Again a peppery taste but not too long lasting. A fair amount of tannins.

6. Rustenberg Stellenbosch John X Merriman 2005 R120

Very smooth. A lot of nose. Again peppery. Warming. Tannins still there