Rickety Bridge's Foundation Stone Range Continues to Impress

Thursday, 15 June, 2017
Rickety Bridge Winery
A trilogy of captivating blends, ever evolving and continuing to impress. The intriguing Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone range of Mediterranean-style blends comprises:
  • The Foundation Stone Rosé 2017: A popular new vintage Rhône-style blend release (maiden vintage 2013);
  • The Foundation Stone White 2016: A distinguished, recently-released new vintage Chenin Blanc-led Mediterranean-style blend (maiden vintage 2013);
  • The Foundation Stone Red 2014: A highly-acclaimed Shiraz-led Rhône-style blend (maiden vintage 2008);

This experimental craft range, which winemaker Wynand Grobler particularly enjoys making, is adorned with a creative, eye-catching label reflecting Wynand’s innovative approach to the three wines. The blends are constantly evolving, being tweaked by Wynand every year. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the intricate label, designed by the talented Fanakalo team, may make you wonder at the beauty within. Well, you won’t be disappointed. Get ready for a distinctive range of wines that over-delivers on quality.

Named after the cornerstone of the original ‘rickety bridge’ which straddles the Franschhoek River and ushers one into the estate, the Foundation Stone wines - edgy, complex and full of promise and intrigue - boast an excellent track record.

RICKETY BRIDGE FOUNDATION STONE ROSÉ 2017
Blend: This refreshing wine is a blend of 48% Grenache Noir, 34% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier.
Maiden vintage: 2013
Previous Awards: The Foundation Stone Rosé 2013 was the only SA Rosé to receive a Top 10 Gold Medal at the 2014 Drinks Business Global Rosé Masters in London;
In the Vineyard and the Cellar: Grape varieties for the wine were grown in the Franschhoek Valley. 10% of the wine was fermented and aged in small French oak barrels. All varietals were vinified individually and blended before bottling.

Wynand Grobler’s Tasting Notes: A dry traditional-style Rosé with juicy red cherries and strawberries intermingled with Turkish Delight and a touch of spice. This Rosé has a lovely creamy yet fresh palate, showing a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness.

Cellaring: This wine is ready for your enjoyment.
Food Suggestions: Best enjoyed on its own or with picnics, summer salads, sushi, prawns and smoked salmon.
Retail price: Approximately R80 at leading retailers, specialist wine merchants and at the estate.

RICKETY BRIDGE FOUNDATION STONE WHITE 2016
Blend: 46% Chenin Blanc, 22% Roussanne, 18% Grenache Blanc, 11% Viognier and 3% Nouvelle
Maiden vintage: 2013

Accolades:

  • Foundation Stone White 2016: Top 100 SA Wines 2017, Double Platinum and Grand Cru National Champion Best in Class (Rhône Blend White);
  • Foundation Stone White 2015: Winner at Top12wines.com White Blends SA Season 2016;
  • Foundation Stone White 2014: 92 Points Tim Atkin MW SA Report 2015; Selected for the 2015 Sommeliers Selection Wine List;
  • Foundation Stone White 2013: 92 Points Tim Atkin MW SA Report 2014; Winner of Wine of the Month Club White Blends 2015;

In the Vineyard and the Cellar: This wine is produced from well-manicured and settled vines in the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch areas, yielding between five and six tonnes/ha. Naturally fermented in barrels at 16°C, partial malolactic fermentation took place in older 225L French oak barrels and a 2500L oak foudre. All five varietals were matured separately in barrel for a total maturation time of 10 months before being blended for bottling.

Wynand Grobler’s Tasting Notes: All five varietals contribute to this complete and well-balanced wine. It is elegant with spring blossoms, restrained peach, mango and stone fruit on the nose, with subtle hints of oak spice and a refined fruit expression. A rich and well-structured wine, it finishes with elegance and freshness and will benefit from some ageing.

Cellaring: This wine is ready for your enjoyment or drink over the next four years.
Food Suggestions: Enjoy with Asian-influenced chicken and seafood dishes, goats cheese salad, pork, veal or roast duck.
Retail price: Approximately R100 at leading retailers and specialist wine merchants, and at the estate.

RICKETY BRIDGE FOUNDATION STONE RED 2014
Blend: 41% Shiraz, 25% Mourvèdre, 23% Grenache Noir, 6% Cinsault and 5% Tannat
First vintage: 2008

Accolades:

  • Foundation Stone Red 2014: Top 100 SA Wines 2016; Selected for the 2016 Sommeliers Selection Wine List;
  • Foundation Stone Red 2013: 93 Points Tim Atkin MW SA Report 2014;
  • Foundation Stone Red 2012: Top 100 SA Wines 2014; Top 4 Shiraz Blends at the 2014 Shiraz Challenge;
  • Foundation Stone Red 2011: Gold Medal at China Wine & Spirits Awards 2013, Trophy Winner at What Food What Wine 2014;
  • Foundation Stone Red 2010: Top 100 SA Wines and Best Value Award 2012; 91.5 points Wine Journal 2012 (now part of RobertParker.com);
  • Foundation Stone Red 2008: The maiden 2008 vintage attained an admirable 4-star rating in the 2010 Platter’s SA Wine Guide;

In the Vineyard and the Cellar: This wine is produced from well-manicured and settled vines in the Franschhoek, Swartland and Breede River areas, yielding between four and six tonnes/ha. Malolactic fermentation took place in older 225L and 500L French oak barrels. All six varietals were matured separately in barrel for a total maturation time of 18 months and then blended for bottling.

Wynand Grobler’s Tasting Notes: This intriguing blend is silky soft on the palate with succulent tannins and notes of white pepper, blackcurrant, white chocolate and cherry tobacco on the nose. The layered complexity on the nose and palate surprises with every interaction.

Cellaring: This wine is ready for your enjoyment or drink over the next six years.
Food suggestions: Enjoy with ostrich or beef carpaccio, duck, venison and rump steak with a creamy pepper sauce.
Retail price: Approximately R100 at leading retailers and specialist wine merchants, and at the estate.

RICKETY BRIDGE ESTATE
When visiting Rickety Bridge today, one still crosses a bridge over the Franschhoek River to enter this picturesque sanctuary 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: +27.218762129 | Email: info@ricketybridge.com | Website: www.ricketybridge.com.

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Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Range
Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Range

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