Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended. "A stunning Chard that shows the greatness of the vintage in the wine’s superb balance between ripe fruit flavors of pear and melon and vibrant acidity. Soft floral accents add depth to the nose, while well-integrated oak flavors infuse the palate and spice up the long finish. Delicious now, but shows promise for some aging." May 2012

Winery:  "Juicy pear, yellow apple and melon rind flavors pump along nicely, with light toasted brioche and butter notes hanging in the background as the finish stays racy."

Wired For Wine: The Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay is a distinctive and memorable example of a beautifully balanced Chardonnay. Juicy fruit, lovely oak and bright acidity combine to make a perfect spring and summer white. It will pair well with chicken, shellfish, butter and cream sauces, and salmon. For lunch, or a terrific starter, we love the clean acidity of this  Chardonnay with a rich corn and crab chowder. Another great option for lunch or a starter which will bring out the beautiful oak in this wine is smoked salmon on a potato pancake drizzled with a crème fraiche/chive sauce. As for the main course, grilled chicken with creamy grits and a shiitake mushroom sauce is a delicious option. Make sure there's plenty of salt and pepper in the dredging flour. Another great choice on the grill would be your favorite white fish dressed with a creamy ginger sauce; it will pick up the floral accents and brioche toast fabulously. In general, the ripe, juicy fruit of this "stunning" Chardonnay will pair like a pro with the fresh fruit sauces which are starting to grace menus and inspire us at this time of year. Asian dishes with hoisin and oyster sauce will play to the oak and toast in this Rustenberg. And for your last course, our choice is a young Brie with a sliced, warm baguette. What do you feel like eating?

Size: 750ml; screw cap
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 14.36%
Aging: 12 months in 40% new and 60% 2nd-fill Burgandian Hogsheads (300L barrels)
Region: Simonsberg Mountain, Stellenbosch, South Africa