Description
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc has achieved the following accolades:
- From the first release in 2000 the Robusto has set the pace for serious Chenin blanc in South Africa. 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.
- Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 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.
- Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 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.
- Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 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 Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 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.
- 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
Tasting Notes
The Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2000 is buttery gold and gloriously rich. Peach, pear, honey and apple on the nose. Waxy, honeyed, with layers of mouthwatering fruit salad rewards the palate. Fairly sweet and full; lovely texture and good length. Instantly lovely, yet with the fruit and balance needed for a long life.
Ageing Potential
Drinking exceptionally well now and will gain in intricacy with bottle maturation. We hope this wine will show well at eight years if cellared correctly.
Blend Information
100% Chenin Blanc
Food Suggestions
The Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc pairs well with modern cuisine and specifically with asian and fusion cuisine. The wine pairs well with spicy and creamy dishes which also makes it a perfect winter white wine with stews, chicken curries and pasta dishes.
In The Vineyard
These Chenin Blanc vineyards are situated on a cool slope at an altitude of 230m above sea level, in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch. The bush vines were planted on broken shale in 1979 and are fully mature. Canopy management of the vines ensured natural high acidity and full flavour concentration. No irrigation is available and the yield was 5,4 (25hl/ha – only free-run juice used) tons per hectare.
About The Harvest
The grapes were handpicked in the early morning from old bush vines at 26.9º Balling. The grapes came in on the morning of 7 March. The yield was 5,4 (25hl/ha – only free run juice used) tons per hectare, with an acid of 9,1 g/l and a pH of 3,0. A total of 680x6x750ml was made.
In The Cellar
The grapes were lightly crushed and the free-run juice was allowed to settle for 48 hours. VIN7 yeast was used in making this wine. The clear juice with the fluffy lees was then fermented in 225-l (50% new and the rest 2nd and 3rd fill)French barriques. Fermentation took place in a 14ºC cellar but actual fermentation temperatures were not monitored. Rudera Robusto Chenin blanc matured in barrel for eight months on the lees; thereafter it was racked, lightly filtered and bottled without being stabilized.
Additional Information
Robusto is a bold, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, made in a richer, full-bodied style.
Other Vintages
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2013
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2012
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2011
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2009
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2008
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2007
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2006
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2005
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2004
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2003
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2002
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2001
Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2000