“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.”

“Very Old World in style, with a graceful profile and mouthwatering acidity standing firmly behind notes of cherry, savory mineral, rose hip and rosemary. Supple tannins create good harmony and give this more muscle. Needs a bit more time, but well-executed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.”

“The vintage I have chosen, 2016, probably has more of a seven- to nine-year window, not least because it is drinking so beautifully now that I suspect people will struggle to stop themselves opening it. Its tannins are present, but supple and plump, and backed with a certain freshness of acidity as a counterpoint to its nicely ripe black fruit. It is lip-smacking and moreish.The wine spent 16 months in 55% new Nevers oak barrels, with the oak giving cedar and some incense-like spice notes which worked in harmony with tobacco-leaf aromas that are most likely from the Cabernet Franc component. This was a wine that brought a smile to my face, which is just what an impulse purchase on the way home should do.”

“Cedar wood, spice, a touch of fynbos on nose and palate. Good acidity and layers of flavour that balance the ripe fruit, with a deft touch.”