Meerlust Rubicon 2014

“An invitingly youthful, opulent nose bursting with blueberry pie, vanilla pod spice, violets, cedar wood and polished mahogany. Very impressive with lifted black currant and raisined cranberry notes, the complexity of this wine is mesmerising. The palate is wonderfully suave, fleshy and elegant, showing superb harmony and balance combined with Cabernet Sauvignon backbone, power and breadth. There are lashings of delicious sweet cassis, black currant pastille, blueberries, and seductive creamy oak vanillins. Such a polished example, finely tuned, and positively oozes with class and pedigree. This impressive 2014 should drink well now and for another 25+ years if well cellared. Bravo Hannes Myburgh and winemaker Chris Williams.”

- Greg Sherwood MW in Wine Safari, score: 94+/100

2024 10-Year-Old Wine Report - 89 Points
2017 SAWi Awards - Platinum
2013 Decanter World Wine Awards - Commended Medal
2012 Neil Martin The Wine Advocate - 92 Points
 

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

Due to uneven ripening, we had to be very selective during harvest, discarding and bunches which were not perfectly ripe and having shorter macerations on the Cabernet. The Merlot, however, was the standout variety in the season and was beautifully and consistently ripe, although harvested a bit later. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel for 7 months before assessment and assemblage. The 2014 Rubicon is composed of  67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this variety now really starting to assert itself as an important component of Rubicon The wine spent a total of 20 months in 67 % new   French Nevers oak with 33 % 2^nd fill Nevers and Alliers barrels.