The Rickety Bridge brand has become synonymous
with ever-evolving innovation and creativity, while maintaining the magic and
ethos of a 200-year history. Their distinctive Rhône-style blend, the
Foundation Stone, was first launched in 2008, and mirrors this trend of novelty
and originality, with the 2012 vintage comprising a new blend of six Rhône-style
cultivars. These are Syrah, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Tannat and Viognier. Since
2013, this popular blend has been adorned in a new, vividly imaginative label.
Named
after the cornerstone of the original ‘rickety bridge’ which straddles the
Franschhoek River which ushers one into the estate, the Foundation Stone boasts
a highly acclaimed track record: The maiden 2008 vintage attained an admirable
four-star rating in the 2010 Platter’s SA Wine Guide; the 2010 Foundation Stone was named
one of the Top 100 SA Wines for 2012, scooping, in addition, a Best Value award;
and the 2012 Foundation Stone was recently judged one of the Top 100 SA Wines
for 2014.
Last year Rickety Bridge decided to
complement this wine with the only other long standing blend in the range, the
Rickety Bridge Rosé, which as from the 2013 vintage is dressed in the same
striking label as the original Foundation Stone, but with subtle changes to the
colour palette.
Rickety Bridge has now just released
its first white blend into the Foundation Stone range – a subtly oaked 5-cultivar
Mediterranean-style wine, again sporting the Foundation Stone label with appropriate
changes. Consensus in the industry is that premium white blends, whether Rhône,
Chenin based or Bordeaux in style, is the most exciting category of South
African wines at the moment. This and Wynand’s personal intrigue with the
category motivated Rickety Bridge to seek out interesting pockets of high
quality vineyards of Mediterranean varieties, such as Ugni Blanc, Roussanne,
Viognier and Grenache Blanc to team with the Chenin Blanc from Rickety Bridge which
has become very highly regarded.
Remarks Managing Director Jan van
Huyssteen, “Having proved the success of the Foundation Stone red blend over
the past few years, our winemaker Wynand Grobler was inspired to create complementary blends to accompany it, and he now has a trilogy of captivating
blends. The distinctive label designed for us by Fanakalo in Stellenbosch has
been adapted for the two additions to the range.”
RICKETY
BRIDGE FOUNDATION STONE 2012 RED
This wine is an intriguing blend of 38% Syrah, 23% Cinsault, 20% Mourvèdre, 9% Tannat,
8% Grenache, and 2% Viognier. All six varietals were matured separately in
barrel for a total maturation time of 18 months and then blended for
bottling.
Tasting Note: The wine is silky soft on the palate with succulent tannins and notes
of white pepper, blackcurrant, white chocolate and cherry tobacco on the nose.
Layered complexity on the nose and palate surprise with every interaction.
Maturation Potential: Drink
now or in the next 6 years.
Awards: Judged one of the Top 100 SA Wines for 2014.
Food pairing: Enjoy with ostrich or beef
carpaccio, duck, venison and rump steak with pepper sauce.
Retail price: Approximately R85 at leading retailers and specialist
wine merchants.
RICKETY BRIDGE THE FOUNDATION STONE ROSÉ 2013
This refreshing wine is a blend of 57% Shiraz, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 9% Viognier. 10% of the wine was fermented and aged in small
French oak barrels. All 4 varietals were vinified separately and blended just
before bottling.
Tasting Note: A dry traditional style
Rosé with juicy red cherries and strawberries intermingled with Turkish Delight
and a touch of spice. A lovely creamy yet fresh palate showing a perfect
balance between acidity and sweetness. Ready to be enjoyed right now.
Food pairing: Picnics, salads, sushi,
prawns, smoked salmon or on its own.
Retail price: Approximately R50 at leading retailers and specialist
wine merchants.
RICKETY BRIDGE THE FOUNDATION STONE 2013 WHITE
The wine
is an appealing blend of 49% Chenin Blanc,
15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Ugni Blanc, 15% Roussanne and 6% Viognier. All five varietals were matured separately
in barrel for a total maturation time of 10 months before being blended
for bottling.
Tasting Note: All
5 varietals contribute to this complete and well-balanced wine. Elegant with
spring blossoms, restrained peach, mango and stone fruit on the nose, subtle
hints of oak spice and a refined fruit expression. A rich and well-structured
wine that finishes with elegance and freshness on the palate. Will benefit from
some aging.
Maturation Potential: Drink
now or in the next 6 years.
Food pairing: Fish dishes, chicken
dishes, goats cheese salad, pork, veal, Asian influenced chicken and fish
dishes and roast duck.
Retail price: Approximately R85 at leading retailers and specialist
wine merchants.
Rickety Bridge
When
visiting Rickety Bridge today, one still crosses a bridge over the Franschhoek
River to enter this picturesque sanctuary, this jewel in the vines, which offers
far more than the conventional wine estate. Today this Franschhoek wine estate is
home to a modern boutique-style winery, a ‘tasting room in the vines’,
Paulina’s à la carte restaurant, luxurious 4-star accommodation, a romantic
wedding and function venue, a conference centre, a playground for children and
a boules court.
Rickety Bridge is open seven days a week
Tel:
021 876 2129
Email: info@ricketybridge.com
www.ricketybridge.com