Meerlust Rubicon really needs no introduction. It is South Africa’s oldest Bordeaux blend still in production, debuting with the 1980 vintage, and a true Cape classic. The 2024 is a blend of 42% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 7% petit verdot from this historic property in Stellenbosch’s Eerste River Valley. It has striking fruit intensity and density, showing bramble, cassis and juicy red plum character interwoven with subtle cedar spice. The fruit expression is easy, charming and quite immediate, with a succulent ripeness, thanks to the warm vintage, underpinned by the estate’s signature bright freshness and a graphite minerality. 50% new French oak is seamlessly integrated, and the tannins are fine and fruit-wrapped, with a gentle presence and grip on the finish, giving this a certain approachability. It’s delicious already and will be drinking before the vintages on either side of it but we would still urge you to (try to) wait until its fifth birthday to start drinking. Each to their own, though, and if you love the charm of primary fruit, there is nothing to stop you drinking and loving it from arrival! Drink from 2029 to 2049. 14.5%
