2021 Meerlust Rubicon (Stellenbosch)

The 2021 Rubicon has quite an extrovert bouquet, more so than the 2001; black plum, dark chocolate and light violet scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe tannins, more body and depth here, cohering nicely towards the slightly lactic finish that fans out nicely. Fine. Tasted at the Meerlust tasting at Berry Brothers

I`ve tasted this on three occasions and I`m convinced that it`s a brilliant Rubicon release, right up there with the best reds in the country. Featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot,5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this is a beautifully poised, elegant cuvee with cassis, red berry and sweet spice flavours, a herbal undertone and fine, filigree tannins. 98 points

100% estate fruit from all four of their vineyard blocks: Compagniesdrift (weathered granite on a hilltop); River Terraces (sand and roounded river stones); Quarry (greywacke with interbedded shales); Lowlands (a cool, south-facing block on clay-rich soils from deeply weathered greywacke and shales). A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), Merlot (46%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (1%), every parcel of each variety was fermented separately before undergoing malolactic fermentation in 300-litre barrels and large foudres. After eight months in barrel, the components were blended and given another 10 months in barrel. The 2021 sees the more mature Merlot vineyards coming more to the fore with almost equal part Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the final blend. RS 2.04 g/l, pH 3.48, TA 5.93 g/l. Dark, with cooked-fruit richness, brulee and umami. Chocolate and plum, lavender fragrance, deep violet tones and the cool breath of liquorice on the finish. There is a black sheen of minerality at the core, which, together with the fantastic herbal (fynbos?) aromatic lift and fragrance, flood the flaring fan of ripeness with freshness and length. Well-managed oak. Very competent. Very refined. Classic. 17 points