This wine is named after a former charismatic owner-winemaker, Reginald (“Reg”) Merriman Nicholson, who lived
and worked on the farm for 30 years and was the creator of Rustenberg’s famous “Dry Red” blend. Just as the Dry Red was an unconventional blend, the RM Nicholson is a new world style blend of classic varieties that would typically not be combined. The result is a blend of Bordeaux and Rhone varietals aiming to express the typicity of each
vintage, unrestrained by convention to create great wine. We recommend decanting this wine before serving.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage was produced with the challenges of COVID-19 ever present. The winter of 2020 started late after a
warm autumn and was cold with plenty of rain. The cool and wet conditions extended well into spring, through
summer and much of the harvest season. The result of these conditions was slow, steady, stress-free vineyard growth
and fruit development. White grape yields were lower than average due to the impact of the weather during critical
stages in fruit development. The white wines from the vintage ripened two weeks later than in 2020 and achieved full
ripeness at lower sugar levels; producing wines with lower alcohols, excellent acidity and brilliant flavour development. Yields were higher than average in the reds and the slow ripening season saw excellent flavour and tannin development. These well-structured wines with moderate alcohols and good acidity should show plenty of potential to age.