Description
Accolades for the Rudera Syrah Wine:
- The Rudera Syrah 2001 scored Gold at Veritas 2002; Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Issue 145 reviewed the 2001 as 88/100; and John Platter South African Wines Guide 2003, awarded the 2001 vintage 4 stars.
- The Rudera Syrah 2002 vintage scored 89/100 in The Wine Spectator of June 30, 2005; and 4 stars in John Platter South African Wines Guide 2005.
- The Rudera Syrah 2003 vintage scored 88/100 in The Wine Spectator February 2006 under ‘New Releases’; and the 2003 vintage scored 4 stars in John Platter South African Wines Guide 2005.
- In March 2013, the Rudera Syrah 2003 vintage was among the Top 3 Ten years old South African Red wines in the RE:CM 10 Year Old Wine Awards.
- John Platter South African Wines Guide 2007 rated the Rudera Syrah 2004 vintage 4 stars; and The Wine Spectator scored the Rudera Syrah 2004 as 89/100 in January 2007.
- John Platter South African Wines Guide 2009 rated the Rudera Syrah 2005 vintage 4 stars.
- The Platter’s South African Wines Guide 2010 rated the Rudera Syrah 2006 vintage 4½ stars.
- The Platter’s South African Wines Guide 2011 rated the Rudera Syrah 2009 vintage 4½ stars.
- The Platter’s South African Wines Guide 2013 rated the Rudera Syrah 2010 vintage 4½ stars.
- Rudera Syrah 2011 rated 4½ in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2014 edition
- Rudera Syrah 2012 rated 4½ in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2016 edition
- Rudera Syrah 2013 rated 4 in the John Platter South African Wines Guide 2017 edition
Tasting Notes
Rudera Syrah 2002 has a lively colour; ruby red and violet-rimmed. This elegant fragrant wine displays a smokey, spicy and concentrated forest floor nose. Soft, ripe fruit, yet crisp and firm. Good soft tannins and lovely aftertaste.
Good soft tannins and lovely aftertaste.
Ageing Potential
Drinking well now and will reward two to three years in bottle.
Blend Information
100% Shiraz
Food Suggestions
Rudera Syrah pairs well with big meat dishes such as springbok steaks with a rich plum sauce or barbequed beef or even duck. It will also match well with hearty dishes such as winter stews and potjiekos.
In The Vineyard
Three different vineyards were used; one on shale, another on Koffieklip in Koelenhof, and the third a vineyard on shale, in Faure, all in the Stellenbosch appellation. All these vineyards are trellised on a four-wire perold system. Drip irrigation is available to combine canopy management with stress management. The average age of the vines is seven years and the quality of fruit should improve every year.
About The Harvest
Handpicked grapes were brought in late in February at 24,7º Brix. The pH was 3.1 with a titratable acid of 8,1 g/l. Sorting was done in the vineyard, followed by bunch selection in the cellar before crush. Our total production was 6,9 tons per hectare (46hl/ha) and 1470x6x750ml were made.
In The Cellar
Sorting was done in the vineyard, followed by bunch selection in the cellar before crush. The grapes were fermented with an inoculated yeast (WE372) and pumped over three times per day. Two separate fermentations were done – a small amount in new oak for seven days and the rest in tanks at 29ºC, and fermentation lasted six days. Extended skin contact lasted a total of 11 days.
The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel. 20% new French oak barrels, and 80% second and third fill barrels were used. Most of the barrels are from the cooper Vicard. The wine was racked using only gravitation. This was done for the first time after malolactic fermentation, and again in August. The wine matured in barriques for 11 months.
The wine is unfiltered and received only an egg white fining before being bottled.
Other Vintages
Rudera Syrah 2014
Rudera Syrah 2013
Rudera Syrah 2012
Rudera Syrah 2011
Rudera Syrah 2010
Rudera Syrah 2009
Rudera Syrah 2006
Rudera Syrah 2005
Rudera Syrah 2004
Rudera Syrah 2003
Rudera Syrah 2002
Rudera Syrah 2001