“Bright, glowing ruby colour and some good development even if it's just slightly austere, but well composed and subtler than most South African bordeaux blends. Not expensive!”

“Meerlust Chardonnay has shifted in style since I last tasted it for the report and is now a much more focused, balanced white. Deftly oaked in 61% new barrels, it has lemon and lime flavours, some sea breeze freshness and subtle texture from partial malolactic. 2022-27.”

“There was no Rubicon release in 2019, so all of the fruit went into the Meerlust Red instead, making it a very tasty second wine. Cabernet Sauvignon-led, with a supporting cohort of 57% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a perfumed, detailed, well-balanced red with violet and tobacco leaf notes, red berry flavours and good acidity for a 2019. 2022-27.”

“A classy wine from a really top vintage. What’s not to like, as they say? Marrying Cabernet Sauvignon with 32% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is a subtle, refined, nuanced Rubicon with herbal, earthy, tobacco and graphite perfume, fine 60% new wood, polished tannins and a long, graceful finish. Traditional in style and rightly proud of it. 2023-32 ”

“Never a wine to shout about its pedigree, instead it prefers to whisper confidently about it’s regal heritage. This Meerlust Red 2018 is sleek, fresh and light on its feet with delicately perfumed aromatics of dried violets, smokey charcoal embers, raisined red currants and freshly cut cedar spice. The palate is light to medium bodied, cool and crisp, showing a pure, precise black berry elegance, sleek fresh acids and a cool textural linearity. The wine finishes with notes of melted black liquorice, black plum, sappy black currant and charred BBQ’ed savoury notes. Impressive accessibility and a classy harmonious balance make this a really delicious glassful now with added pleasure to be expected over 3-8+ years of ageing.”