Rustenberg ′Wild Ferment′ Sauvignon Blanc 2020/22, Stellenbosch

Rustenberg has a wine-growing history dating back to 1682. Today, the estate is managed by Simon Barlow with his son, Murray, who heads up the winemaking. Murray’s wines are some of Stellenbosch’s finest, and he has rightfully won not just a cult following, but heaps of critical praise. In fact, he is the only winemaker to win Young Winemaker of the Year twice at South Africa’s biggest wine awards event, Diners Club. The grapes for this Sauvignon are plucked from mountainous south-west facing vines, so they get maximum sun exposure. And thanks to six months of barrel-ageing, the resulting wine is rich, rounded and full of flavour. The 2022 vintage was awarded 93 Points by James Suckling – what’s more, it was his highest ranked South African wine in his ‘Top 100 Best Value Wines of 2022’ list at number 30. It has refreshing notes of elderflower, citrus, white peach and tropical fruit. Delicious with tempura prawns.