With awards season in full swing the industry is abuzz with news on their wines.
One of the latest announcements is the highly anticipated 2020 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show results, which saw Anthonij Rupert Estate’s Cape of Good Hope Caroline 2016 awarded the Best White Wine Blend in the Museum Class Category. The results were announced on 1 October.
In order to be considered for this category wines must be at least four years old at the time of entry, as they are judged on their exceptional longevity and quality. The Cape of Good Hope Caroline was born out of the vision to produce and exceptional quality Rhône style white blend from the extraordinary terroir found on the company’s Riebeeksrivier farm.
Situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg in the Swartland region, with their roots firmly established in the hard baked shale heavy soils, the Chenin Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier vineyards all contribute to the final blend benefit from typical Rhône-like terroir – ideal for these varietals. Remarkably the Marsanne and Rousanne vines, now reaching their prime, are also the first of its kind to be planted in South Africa. The final blend in the 2016 vintage is made up of Chenin Blanc (40%), Roussanne (26%), Marsanne (20%) and Viognier (14%), and is only the 3rd vintage released by Anthonij Rupert Wyne.
Cooling mountain breezes, which masterfully reign in the ripeness of the Swartland sun, ensures that the resultant wine is both rich and flavourful while remaining elegant. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and fermented separately in stainless steel and French oak barrels, and aged for eight months before being blended and bottled.
This wine displays nuances of complex citrus, autumn leaves, and distinct lees character and an enticing vanilla note. The initially complex aromas on the nose follows through to an equally complex palate with a rich textured mouthfeel offset by bright, zesty freshness from stone fruit and citrus. An elegant poised wine with characteristic length, with pride of place in any wine aficionado’s collection.
Cape of Good Hope Caroline 2016 is available in limited quantities for purchase online at www.rupertwines.com, as well as online via www.port2port.wine/home, at R175 per bottle. For more information and equally exciting newer vintages visit www.capeofgoodhopewines.com.
Winemaker Mark van Buuren
Made from some of the oldest South African vines, the Cape of Good Hope range comprises terroir-specific wines created in celebration of South Africa’s 365-year-old vinous heritage. The first vintage was launched in 2011, which led to the establishment of the Old Vines Initiative, initiated in 2007 by Johann Rupert. The Old Vines Initiative is regarded as a valuable contribution to the protection of South African heritage and mirrors the Rupert family’s contributions in the preservation of heritage in other fields such as iconic art and architecture.
