Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2013

From the first release in 2000 the Robusto has set the pace for serious Chenin blanc in South Africa and has achieved the following accolades:

• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2011 rated 4½ in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2014 edition
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2011 vintage was rated one of the Top 6 Chenin blancs currently released and awarded four stars in Classic Wine Magazine March 2014
• The Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2000 won a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Award 2002; a silver medal in the South African Trophy Wine Show 2002 (Top 100 wines); was a top ten finalist in the Diners Club winemaker of the Year awards; and scored 4 star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2003.
• The 2001 vintage won a gold medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Award 2002; a silver medal in the South African Trophy Wine Show 2002 (Top 100 wines); voted as a South African top 100 wine and scored 4 stars in ICONS, South Africa's Champion Wines 2003; a top ten finalist in the Diners Club winemaker of the Year awards; and scored 4 S rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2004.
• The Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2002 was the winner of the 2005 WINE Chenin Challenge with 4½ stars and one of first three wines in South Africa to achieve SUPER CHENIN status from the Chenin Blanc Association based on consistent high quality. It scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2005. At the 2004 Rendezvous du Chenin in Loire, the Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2002 was voted as one of the best expressions of Chenin blanc in the world. In June 2005 Wine International rated this wine 93.
• The 2003 vintage received 4 stars in the February 2005 issue of WINE Magazine. It scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2006.
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2004 scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2007.
• The 2005 vintage was awarded five stars in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2007. The 2005 vintage was voted as one of the best expressions of Chenin Blanc in the world at the 2006 Rendezvous du Chenin in Loire. In the WINE Chenin Challenge of 2008, the Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2005 achieved second place and the 2006 vintage sixth place. Grape, December 2006 chose a panel of two dozen wine professionals to vote for the Cape's best individual wines, with a track record of excellence over the past five releases and Robusto Chenin Blanc was named fourth best White Wine in South Africa.
• The 2006 vintage scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2008 and was one of the first three wines in South Africa to achieve SUPER CHENIN status from the Chenin Blanc Association based on consistent high quality. The Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2006 is one of only two wines that received this honour for the fifth time.
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2007 scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2009.
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2008 scored 4½ star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2010.
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2009 scored 4 star rating in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2011.
• In May 2012, the Wine Enthusiast gave Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2009 a score of 90 points.
• In the inaugural Classic Chenin Blanc Top Ten competition hosted by Classic Wine Magazine, Rudera Robusto Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2009 achieved the highest average score, according to the audit report compiled by DeLoitte and was awarded Top honours as the Champion and best Chenin blanc for 2012.
• Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc 2009 vintage was awarded the Champion Chenin blanc of 2012 in Classic Wine Magazine January 2013; it scored 90 in Wine Enthusiast USA & Wine Spectator USA; scored 93 in the May 2013 Tim Atkin MW report UK; and was selected as a fine wine for the Nederburg Auction which will take place in September 2013.

ageing : 

Drinking exceptionally well now and will gain in intricacy over the next four years. Complexity is the hallmark of this wine.

Robusto is a bold, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, made in a richer, full-bodied style.

The grapes for the Robusto are from 40 years old bush vines situated in Bottelary Hills, in the Stellenbosch region. The vineyard faces north easterly and is situated at the top of the hill on a geographical fault line. The soil of the vineyard consists of a mixture of decomposed granite and shale over clay subsoil with very good water-retention capacities. 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 at 23 Balling. The yield was 5.6 tons per hectare.

The grapes went through natural fermentation without the addition of commercial yeast, enzymes, acids, or fining agents. It is neither filtered nor cold-stabilised and therefore may in time throw harmless sediment.