I'm a big fan of Rustenberg's red Bordeaux blends
This white Rhone blend is new to me and seeing it on offer had to give it a go.
SWB seems to be Known as Rustenberg Schoongezicht (White Blend) everywhere outside of co-op.
The potential is there with nice flavour profile. Peach and orange blossom with a creaminess from the partial oak treatment of some of the grapes
The big question is why the 14.5% alcohol?! While not hot, it hits you on the finish. 2010 vintage was around 1% lower @13.78%
2011 isn't shown on the website so blend % is unknown but this 2011 vintage contains Grenache Blanc where the 2010 doesn't.
Rustenberg's website description of 2010 mentions 50% blend of "low alcohol semillon" so does that make the Viognier & Grenache blanc high alcohol then?
A nice wine, just a shame about the alcohol level
Might have the legs to last a few years and I don't feel hard done by having paid £5.50 @ co-op (from £10.99)

Inexpensive viognier is always a bit fiery. Never tasted the proper stuff from Condrieu. Grenache based southern French rose is also a bit hot but I think it's the peppery flavour of the grape rather than alcohol.

I am sure I bought two bottles earlier in the year ?? was not impressed at all if memory recalls.
The reds I really enjoy with some age on them, perhaps the white deserves the same ??

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He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

I'm wondering the same. I'm going to try and put the other bottle away for a couple of years to see what happens
Would imagine with semillon and marsanne it should be able to last

Semillion & Viog - yes

Marsanne, Grenache blanc - no, not really, but partial oak treatment helps.

However the best Condrieu perched on the Hermitage cliff edge should be drunk within 4 years.....This is the new thinking, since the beauty of the peach & orange blossom and gentian white flowers dissipates, and turns away, shy.

Keeping could take out some perceptable heat (still there though), is the 50% low alcohol Sem up to it ? I'd be asking the same question as Shez. May be the Sem was picked before it was ripe, and therefore not enough sugar in the fermentation to produce a typical 13%, Then matured in separate vessels and blended in the final cuvee' ?

Mystery and speculation .... since the Gren B. and Marsanne would have been sugared and dosed up yeasted to 16% ! Odd, do the maths based on Rustenberg's proportions.

See what happens is best. Enjoy your week-end

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Duncan

The label says flavours of peaches and cream which I could go with
However a more accurate comparison would be Barrett's fruit salad chews:
This is too heavy for a drink on its own wine. Needs something to accompany it
Currently on offer (from £9.99) at £4.16- £5 while co-op try to clear their stock

Sounds bl**dy horrible.

Rustenburg should stick to making Southern Cape cab and cab / merlot blends, which in all fairness, they do rather well..

Their sauvignon blanc / touch of sem blend is hyped up, not worthy of a Pessac L. blanc clone, and a tad dull, actually.

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Duncan

I haven't tried any if their single variety whites which like you say are often well hyped
The fruit salad flavour may be a bit harsh. I used to like those sweets as a kid so don't mind it. I'm not saying it's sweet or sugary buy there's a similar flavour on the fruit

I agree with you about the cab blends. RM Nicholson 2010 is current on offer at majestic for £9.32 which is very tempting
The blend looks more preferable to me than the 2009 vintage which I've yet to open