Meerlust Rubicon 2023
Meerlust Rubicon 2023
Manufacturer: Meerlust
Meerlust Rubicon is the flagship wine of the legendary Meerlust Estate in Stellenbosch and one of South Africa’s most celebrated red blends. Since its first release in 1980, Rubicon has become a benchmark for Bordeaux-style wines from the Cape, renowned for its elegance, complexity, and exceptional ability to mature over time.The vintage is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot, sourced from four distinct estate terroirs that contribute depth, precision, and complexity. Each variety is vinified separately before undergoing malolactic fermentation in 300-litre French oak barrels. After eight months of maturation, the components are blended and returned to barrel for a further ten months to achieve harmony and refinement.The bouquet is intensely expressive, revealing layers of blackcurrant, dark plum, cassis, graphite, cedarwood, and subtle herbal nuances. Hints of tobacco, spice, and savoury complexity add further depth. On the palate, the wine is powerful yet impeccably balanced, with concentrated dark fruit, fine-grained tannins, and vibrant freshness. Notes of blackberry, liquorice, cocoa, and oak spice unfold towards a long, persistent finish that reflects both the elegance and age-worthiness for which Rubicon is renowned.
0.75l / 14,4% / Stellenbosch - South Africa
About the Winery
Meerlust Wine Estate is one of South Africa’s most historically significant wineries, with origins dating back to 1693 when the farm was established by German immigrant Henning Huising in the Eerste River Valley near Stellenbosch. The name Meerlust, meaning “pleasure of the sea,” reflects the estate’s proximity to False Bay and its long-standing connection to the maritime environment. Since 1756, the estate has remained continuously in the ownership of the Myburgh family, who have guided its development across eight generations. Although vineyards had been cultivated on the property for centuries, a defining milestone came in the 1970s when Nico Myburgh began bottling wines under the Meerlust label, laying the foundation for the estate’s modern reputation. Meerlust later gained international acclaim through its iconic Rubicon, a pioneering Bordeaux-style blend that helped establish Stellenbosch as a world-class wine region. The estate’s philosophy is centred on expressing terroir, preserving family heritage and producing wines exclusively from estate-grown grapes. Combining more than three centuries of history with innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality, Meerlust has earned its place among South Africa’s most respected wine producers.
Terroir
The terroir of Meerlust is defined by its unique location in southern Stellenbosch, just five kilometres from False Bay. The estate benefits from strong maritime influences, including cooling ocean breezes, evening mists and moderate temperatures that refresh the vineyards during the hot Cape summers and extend the ripening period. This slow and even ripening process allows the grapes to retain freshness, natural acidity and remarkable aromatic complexity. The soils consist predominantly of deep clay subsoils over layers of weathered granite, providing excellent drainage while ensuring sufficient moisture retention for the vines. The estate also benefits from a range of vineyard sites and distinct micro-terroirs that contribute additional depth and complexity to the wines. This combination of maritime climate, moderated temperatures and diverse clay-granite soils gives Meerlust wines their characteristic elegance, structure and ageing potential.
Doporučené vinné párování
Meerlust Rubicon 2023