2009 Rustenberg Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay
Appellation: Stellenbosch (South Africa)
Tasting Notes: 100% Chardonnay 14.5% ABV. Light gold in the glass, pretty color. Nose is dominated by citrus, lemon and grapefruit, with a little floral component and minerals. Citrus and minerals on the palate, maybe a little pineapple. Smooth mouthfeel. Very nice acidity, and a nice finish. Crisp. Really nice. Will match well with sole stuffed with crab, or a Caesar salad – might be a bit light if you put grilled chicken on it, but give it a go. Would be a great crowd pleaser, and a nice aperitif as well.
Rating: 4/5; 17/20; 88/100
Price: $12.99 at Beltway Fine Wine
A note on ratings: I use the 100 point rating for Cellartracker, even though my palate is still developing. As a statistics geek, I know that the variability in scores works itself out as the number of scores increases. However, my score may not be yours, or Robert Parker’s. I much prefer to use a 5 point (or star, or whatever you want to call it) scale, as it more represents my reaction to wine, which is more simple than a 100 point scale represents. I like the 20 point scale as the more detailed score. On this site, I will provide all three, although the most meaningful are the 5 and 20 point ratings.
