Meerlust Estate 'Rubicon' Red Blend

Meerlust Estate ‘Rubicon’ Red Blend - Stellenbosch, South Africa

Iconic, age-worthy and one of the wines that helped define modern South African fine wine, Meerlust Rubicon is a benchmark Bordeaux-style blend with a reputation built over more than four decades. It opens with layers of blackcurrant, plum and dark cherry, intertwined with cedar, graphite, cigar box, violet and subtle spice. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with concentrated dark fruit framed by fine tannins and fresh acidity. Despite its power, Rubicon is always more about balance and elegance than sheer weight, finishing long, savoury and beautifully composed.

Produced exclusively from estate-grown fruit in Stellenbosch, Rubicon is typically led by Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vineyards benefit from the cooling influence of False Bay, while the estate’s decomposed granite soils contribute both structure and longevity. Following fermentation, the wine spends around 18 months in French oak barrels, developing the complexity and polish that have become hallmarks of the Rubicon style.

Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Style: Red – Full-bodied, structured, age-worthy Bordeaux blend

Drink Window: Now – 20+ years depending on vintage

Perfect For: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, venison, braised short ribs, aged cheeses

Critic Scores (recent top vintages):

Tim Atkin MW – up to 96 points
James Suckling – up to 95 points
Wine Spectator – up to 94 points

A true South African benchmark - elegant, cellar-worthy and consistently one of the country’s finest expressions of Bordeaux-inspired winemaking.