Meerlust Rubicon 2014
By Christian Eedes, 17 May 2017
2
The 2014 vintage was generally considered difficult in Stellenbosch on account of untimely rain which led to uneven ripening but many of the wines have turned out just fine, perhaps on the basis that adversity compels winemakers to be more resourceful.
The Rubicon 2014 from Meerlust is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot and was matured for 20 months in French oak, 67% new. On the nose, it displays red and black fruit plus some subtle fragrance of flowers and fresh herbs, happily none too green plus hints of vanilla and oak spice. The palate is medium bodied with good freshness and fine tannins. It’s a relatively modest iteration of this iconic wine but this is in no way to its detriment.
Editor’s rating: 90/100.
Find our South African wine ratings database here.
Brett Wood | 19 May 2017
Great feedback Chris – nice to see comments directly from the wine maker. I for one, based on your feedback and comments, will go and buy a few bottles of the Merlot and Rubicon. Thanks
Chris Williams | 17 May 2017
Hi Christian, I am pleased that you picked up on the restraint of the 2014 Rubicon. As you mentioned, the vintage presented us with some challenges. You may be aware that we didn’t bottle a Pinot Noir at all from 2014, but found that our other varieties performed well once we got the measure of the vintage. Very early on I realized that a lighter touch in terms of extraction and building structure in the wine was required. Meerlust Rubicon is never a bruiser of a wine but like you I find this vintage very pleasing, even at this early stage. In great vintages one is tempted to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the wine, while in vintages like 2014, one can take a softer approach. On greenness- we have been working particularly hard since 2008 on moderating overt greenness, particularly in Merlot and I am encouraged that the positive results are starting to show. Try our 2014 Merlot as well, dare I say we have tamed the green monster!