Meerlust, Rubicon Trilogy Wooden Gift Box (2018, 2017 & 2016)

A wooden gift box with three outstanding vintages (2016, 2017 & 2018) of Meerlust Estate’s flagship Rubicon. Long recognised for producing premium wines, Meerlust Estate pioneered the Bordeaux blend in Stellenbosch.

The 2018 Meerlust Rubicon has a quintessential Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood, fennel, and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note also evident on the nose. Still young and intense, the palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded tannins. This is a vintage that is more approachable in youth because of the ripeness and richness levels attained in 2018 but will provide great complexity with further maturation.

2018 Blend Information: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot

Ageing potential: 10 – 20 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions

Alcohol: 14.3% ABV

Awards / Reviews: Platter’s Wine Guide 2022: 4.5 stars, Tim Atkin (MW) Special South Africa Report 2022: 95 points, Wine Spectator: 91 points & Greg Sherwood MW (Wine Safari Score): 95/100

The 2017 Meerlust Rubicon is a classic vintage of this iconic Cape wine with a quintessential Rubicon nose of violets, ripe plum, cedarwood, fennel and intense spiciness. Typical liquorice notes are also evident on the nose. Still young and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins promising long beneficial maturation. A stand out vintage of Rubicon displaying all the charm of a perfect vintage from mature vines.

2017 Blend Information: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot

Ageing potential: 15 – 30 years from vintage date under ideal cellar conditions

Alcohol: 13.6% ABV

The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on low yielding, predominantly biotite partially decomposed granite gravel topsoil rich in quartz and feldspar to a depth of approximately 600mm with a loamy clay subsoil.

The Merlot vineyards are planted on more clay rich, yet well drained soils to ensure moisture retention and availability to the vines roots right through the summer. There are considerable deposits of iron-rich Laterite in the Merlot vineyards which accentuates the fruit definition and mineral profile of the wine.

The Cabernet Franc Vineyard is situated on very well drained, stony Vilafontes soil with approximately 20% clay which is ideal for this variety.

The Petit Verdot is on Oakleaf 3 soils on a northerly aspect to ensure full phenolic ripeness