Meerlust Rubicon 2018

The Meerlust flagship wine, Rubicon, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This intense yet elegant wine is the standard bearer of the Estate, exhibiting all the complexity and depth of flavours typical of all the Meerlust wines. The distinctive nose is intense with black currant and plum aromas, exotic spice and minerality. The palate is youthful with vivacious black fruit, intense spiciness and beautifully structured, ripe, satin tannins. Matured in French oak for up to 20 months.

All the vineyards were green harvested during veraison to reduce yield, increase concentration and fruit definition. The cold winter of 2013 and early spring were ideal to promote very even canopy development and good fruit set. Good winter rains in 2013 ensured sufficient soil moisture in our clay-rich soils, particularly important for Merlot. The growing season was challenging in 2014, with a cooler than normal summer and some unusual showers in late summer and autumn. We thinned the crop to ensure ripeness and suckered several times to ensure an open canopy and healthy grapes

The wine spent a total of 20 months in 67 % new   French Nevers oak with 33 % 2nd fill Nevers and Alliers barrels.