Meerlust Red the latest to join South Africa’s ‘Super Seconds’
THERE ARE some wines of South Africa that are positioned as not quite top draw but very good, worthy of premium pricing. Better than ‘second labels’ such as Kadette in the case of Kanonkop, Jordan’s Chameleon, DMZ from DeMorgenzon, Glenelly’s Glass Collection, Kloof from Mullineux, Secateurs from AA Badenhorst, First Sighting from Strandveld… No, there are wines which we’re told are a cut above – any better in terms of quality / interest value and they’d be flagships. ‘Super Seconds’ you could say. Well, not if you’re a Francophile, respectiful of the classification in Bordeaux and of the opinion that the term should be reserved for those properties whose wines are of or nearly the same standard as those of the region’s ‘First Growths’. But why should the French call all the shots?
Meerlust Rubicon has to be one of the most high profile of the Cape’s wines with icon status – perhaps less of a benchmark these days in respect of the country’s red blends but still of good standing, commanding respect on wine auctions, etc. Back in 1985, the brains trust at this Stellenbosch wine estate felt that the standard of the vintage was not quite high enough to be sold under the Meerlust Rubicon label, and so ‘Meerlust Red’ came about, taking the place of the Rubicon whenever it was deemed necessary. However, since the 2002 ‘declassification’, Meerlust has been producing a ‘Red’ for export markets even in years when there was a Rubicon bottled, and, beginning with the 2020 vintage now on sale, Meerlust Red will be an annual release alongside Meerlust Rubicon on the local market too.
“This decision not only reflects the wine’s popularity,” they say, “but also plays a vital role in the estate’s focus on nurturing young vineyards as a result of an extensive replanting programme. Until the grapes reach the maturity and quality required for the Rubicon, these vineyards will contribute to the production of the Red.” The 2020 Meerlust Red blend is 32% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Every parcel of each variety is fermented seperately before undergoing malolactic fermentation in 300L barrels and large foudre. Blending takes place after eight months in oak, and the wine is matured in barrel for another eight months before bottling.
SOUTH AFRICA’S SUPER SECONDS?
• Boekenhoutskloof’s Chocolate Block 2021 – R280pb
• Boschendal Nicolas 2021 – R200pb
• High Road Classique 2018 – R220pb
• Le Riche Richesse 2021 – R210pb
• Meerlust Red 2020 – R245pb
• Raats Jasper Red Blend 2021 – R305pb
• Seriously Old Dirt by Vilafonté 2020 – R265pb
• Vergelegen DNA 2017 – R320pb
• Vrede en Lust Boet Erasmus 2020 – R280pb
• Warwick Professor Black Pitch Black 2020 – R220pb
