Meerlust Rubicon 2017 MAGNUM in Koker

This is a highly exclusive bottle, a few of which are brought to the Netherlands each year, because, as you know, a 1.5-liter Magnum bottle ages much more beautifully. This well-known, premium wine from South Africa is known worldwide: full-bodied, powerful, and with an enormous length, that's what the Rubicon stands for.

Unique piece of craftsmanship from Meerlust

Wines that reflect the pure character of the vineyards—that's what Meerlust strives to convey with its wines. The diversity of the soil, the unique climate, and hundreds of years of experience create special and distinctive wines. Every year, Meerlust's winemaker selects the finest grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Each grape contributes to this "Bordeaux" blend, as all grape varieties are also found in Bordeaux. As you probably know, these grape varieties are still used to make the best wines, and Meerlust also aimed to create a wine that is renowned worldwide. And they succeeded thanks to the finest bunches, the ideal climate, and hand-harvesting. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from a low-yielding vineyard with granite and gravel soil. The Merlot grapes benefit from well-drained clay soil. The Cabernet Franc is planted on stony clay soil, and the Petit Verdot is grown on oakleaf soil.

Wood bearing for the Meerlust Rubicon Magnum

After blending, this red wine is aged for a full 24 months in French oak barrels in the Meerlust cellars. A very long period, during which 80 percent new oak and 20 percent second-year barrels are used. However, that's not enough for this red Rubicon, as it is then aged for another two years. Meerlust's flagship wine boasts an intense and complex nose of blackcurrant and plum, with hints of star anise, creamy oak, pencil shavings, and cedar. The palate is rich and well-structured, with dense black fruit, fresh acidity, and satin tannins. A beautiful, richly varied mid-palate, elegant and concentrated. A complex, long-lasting finish. A very complete wine.