Meerlust Rubicon 2008
eRobertParker.com #204 Dec 2012
Neal Martin 92
The 2008 Rubicon is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc that is raised in French oak for 20 months (65% new). It has a well-defined bouquet of blackberry, black truffle and tar. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins. There is a core of earthy red berry fruit infused with allspice, cumin and a touch of sage. The finish is very well defined and long. This is a far better Rubicon than the 2007, one worthy of its iconic status. Drink 2013-2020+
Meerlust Rubicon 2007
5 Star rating - Platters Wine Guide Awards 2012. The Rubicon 2007 is the first vintage of this iconic wine to receive the coveted 5 star rating.
Wine Enthusiast - Lauren Buzzeo - May 2012 (92 Points Cellar Selection) "One of the best vintages of Rubicon to date, and for the price it's a fantastic value that's great for building up your cellar. Right now, the wine is still young and tight, with firm, gripping tannins that need some time to mellow. Fortunately, there's a great concentrated black-fruit core and enough acidity alongside the tannins to support long-term aging. Spicy and earthy, with accents of black tea, cedar and crushed violets."
JamesSuckling.com - Thomas Bohrer - February 03, 2012 (89+ Points) "This is a nicely balanced and well-defined wine. Black cherries, medium-bodied with a touch of mint."
Meerlust Rubicon 2006
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - November 15, 2010 (90 Points) "Ripe and dense, but sleek and focused, with a lovely core of mulled black currant, warm fig paste and tobacco, laced with mouthwatering dark olive and iron notes that help the finish stretch out nicely. Has solid grip in reserve, too."
Meerlust Rubicon 2004
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - September 30, 2008 (90 points) "Concentrated and grippy, with dark, roasted plum, black licorice, charcoal, mesquite and bittersweet cocoa notes. Traditional in vein, with an iron- and earth-filled finish that should soften nicely with cellaring. ...Drink now through 2013."
Meerlust Rubicon 2001
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2006. Meerlust Rubicon 2001 receives the coveted Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de la Lande trophy for the “Best Blended Red Wine”.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - November 2006 (94 points) Voted number 27 on the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 wines for 2006. Over a quarter of a century ago, this was one of the first South African Bordeaux blends. It is still one of the best, a ripely tannic, firm wine that owes a lot to the structure given by the ripe grape from mature vines. Great acidity, great black currant fruits, and great style."—RV
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2010
JamesSuckling.com - Thomas Bohrer - February 03, 2012 (90 Points) "Lovely crisp nose of white pepper, raspberries and red currents. Very Burgundian in style with fine tannins. This was a pleasant surprise."
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2010
eRobertParker.com #204 Dec 2012
Neal Martin: 89
The 2010 Pinot Noir is raised in French oak for 11 months (70% new). It offers a more fruit-driven bouquet of ripe redcurrant and red cherry fruit with fine delineation. The palate is a little hard on the entry with slightly aggressive acidity. However, the finish shows fine crispness with lively Morello and orange peel on the smoky finish. Drink now-2016.
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2009
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2011. The Meerlust Pinot Noir 2009 won gold and the Trophy for the best Pinot Noir.
The Wine Advocate - Neal Martin - August 2011 (89 Points) "The palate is well balanced and fresh on the entry with fine tannins, crisp raspberry and red currant fruit that leads to a pleasing taut finish. Certainly, this is one of South Africa’s better examples of Pinot Noir."
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2008
5 Star rating – Platters Wine Guide Awards 2011. The second vintage of Pinot Noir after the 2004 to receive the coveted 5 Star rating.
Meerlust Chardonnay 2010
eRobertParker.com #204 Dec 2012
Neal Martin 92
The 2010 Chardonnay, fermented and matured in French oak (50% new) has a vivacious nose of lime, melon and tangerine with superb definition and sense of joie-de-vivre. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh acidity, a vibrant seam of crisp lemon peel that leads to a refined nose with subtle tropical fruit that shimmer with excitement. This is a superb Chardonnay from one of South Africa’s grandees and winemaker, Chris Williams. Drink now-2016.
JamesSuckling.com - Thomas Bohrer - February 03, 2012. (89 Points) "Spicy, fresh and well-defined with hints of green apple. This is a pleasant and nicely put together wine."
Meerlust Chardonnay 2009
Jancis Robinson Top 100 Whites December 2012 - Some leesiness on the nose, but good savoury, confident fruit. Serious wine with lovely texture. Refreshing acidity and intriguing almond flavours. Much more open and approachable - and lively - than many a 2009 white burgundy at this price. Shows just how good Cape Chardonnay can be. 13.5%
The Wine Advocate - Neal Martin - August 2011. (90 Points) "The palate is well-defined with subtle lime, green apple and apricot flavours. The oak is well-integrated lending the taut finish an attractive creamy veneer."
Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
The Wine Advocate - Neal Martin - August 2011. (91 Points) "It has a broody nose of dark berried fruit, a touch of mint and cedar with a scent of hot bricks emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with ripe, fleshy tannins and vibrant acidity. Drink now – 2018"
Meerlust Merlot 2008
The Wine Advocate - Neal Martin - August 2011. (88 Points) " Blended with 16% Cabernet Franc and aged for 17 months in 70% new oak, the 2008 Merlot has a herbaceous bouquet with touches of dark chocolate and a little charcoal. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance and a cheeky touch of mint on entry."
