Rudera Chenin Blanc 2008

• Rudera Chenin blanc 2003 scored 5 stars in January 2006 issue of Decanter Magazine and 4 stars in Wine International Magazine in 'First Taste'.
• In February 2005 Wine Magazine, the 2004 vintage was in the top seven wines with a 4 stars rating at the yearly Chenin Challenge.
• At the 2003 Rendez-vous du Chenin in Loire, the 2002 Rudera Chenin Blanc was voted as part of the best expressions of Chenin Blanc in the world. Proefschrift Juni/Juli/August 2004 Rudera Chenin Blanc 2003 scored 9/10 and was highlighted as one of South Africa's top white wines followed by a Gold Medal at Basil Wine Fair. WINE Magazine scored the 2004 vintage 4 stars stars.
• The Platter Guide, 2007 issue, awarded the 2005 vintage 4 stars. In the March 7, 2007 New York Times, Wines of the times tasting, the Rudera Chenin blanc 2005 was rated 2½ stars (out of 3).
• The Platter Guide, 2008 issue, awarded the 2006 vintage 4 stars.

ageing : 

Drinking exceptionally well now and will gain in intricacy over the next two to six years.

These Chenin Blanc vineyards are situated on a cool slope in the prime Koelenhof and Faure area of Stellenbosch. The bush vines were planted on broken shale and decomposed Table Mountain Sandstone in 1977 and 1986 respectively, and are fully mature.

Canopy management of the vines ensured natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. No irrigation is available.

The grapes were hand-picked in the early morning from old bush vines at between 23.9° and 25.7° Balling. The yield yield was 5.5 tons per hectare with acids above 6.7 g/l and pH generally below 3.22.

A total of 3260 x 6 x 750ml was made.