No Rubicon from 2019! Instead a lighter ‘Meerlust Red’ at half the price
WHO ELSE among the top estates in South Africa would sometimes choose not to make their flagship wine, to skip a vintage in years when the quality or style isn’t quite as expected by the producer? At some wineries, when Mother Nature plays up or things go awry in the vineyard or cellar, they might try to explain it away as vintage variation, or they might make the best of a ‘bad’ year by using the wine for their second or third labels, or it could be sold off to be traded somewhere else under somebody else’s labels entirely.
At Hannes Myburgh’s Meerlust Estate there isn’t a second tier, only premium wine: one Chardonnay, one Cabernet, one Merlot, one Pinot and the famous Rubicon blend, a Cab-led flagship. And at this farm in the southwest extremities of Stellenbosch, they’re as frank as can be. If what was going to be a Meerlust Rubicon turns out to be not quite as intended, instead they bottle a wine called simply Meerlust Red, positioned as a bargain! Not that it happens often – the 2019 is only the fifth vintage of Rubicon to be ‘declassified’ following the 2011, 2002, 1990 and 1985. A collector’s item in it’s own right, Meerlust Red 2019 is lighter in character, with less intensity than what the winemakers prefer for Rubicon.
Whereas the Rubicon can be aged for at least 30 years under ideal cellar conditions, cellarmaster Wim Truter says the 2019 Red is already approachable and will still be providing pleasure after eight years in bottle.
MEERLUST RED 2019
WO Stellenbosch: all grapes grown on the estate. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (43%), Merlot (31%), Cabernet Franc (21%) and Petit Verdot (5%). Grapes handpicked and fermented separately before undergoing malolactic fermentation in French oak, both new and seasoned. The varieties were kept apart for up to nine months before blending, and in total the wine spent 17 months in barrel – 46% first-fill, 45% second-fill and 9% third–fill.
Alc 14 | RS 2.5 | TA 5.6 | pH 3.6
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Dark purple with a violet rim. On the nose: powerful cassis, plum, exotic spice and hints of floral aromas. On the palate: medium-bodied with intense flavours of crushed black fruit, cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate. Silky tannins, fresh acidity and a long aftertaste. Ageing potential of 8 to 10 years after vintage. Best served at between 18° and 20°C.
Food Pairing Suggestions: venison, pot roast.
R235pb ex-cellar (vs R460 for Rubicon 2017).
About Meerlust Red 2019: “But 2019 was a very good vintage at the Cape. In fact much better than 18.”
The Meerlust Red sold in the UK is a permanent SKU that is made from the young vines on the property not deemed ready for going into Rubicon. It is thus a separate blend, however in a year such as 2019 with the Red being a declassified Rubicon, the same wine will be sold in all markets.