Meerlust Rubicon 2017 Magnum Gift Tin
Original price was: £79.95.£67.95Current price is: £67.95. incl. VAT
12 in stock (can be backordered)
The 2017 Rubicon from Meerlust is a stunning wine. On the nose, notes of ripe plum and five spice, and there’s also a very pretty floral note. The palate is structured, with incredibly refined tannins and a beautiful thread of acidity cutting through the core of intense fruit. The finish is beautifully detailed, and incredibly long. This is not to be missed.
Blend: ~ 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
Platters 5*
## **Growing Season (2016–2017)**
The 2017 growing season followed a **cold winter**, which ensured proper vine dormancy and a good accumulation of chilling hours. **Spring was warm**, prompting early and even bud break.
Although the season remained **relatively dry**—as the Cape continued to experience drought—careful vineyard management and strategic irrigation were used to maintain vine balance and fruit quality. **Yields were kept low** through green harvesting, resulting in highly concentrated fruit.
Fruit exposure was managed to ensure even ripening and optimal phenolic development. The **Cabernet Sauvignon** was grown on well-drained gravel and granite soils, **Merlot** on richer clay for moisture retention, **Cabernet Franc** on stony, well-drained soils with some clay, and **Petit Verdot** on Oakleaf soils with northerly exposures for full ripening.
Overall, the 2017 vintage was characterized by **excellent fruit concentration, balanced acidity, and refined tannins**, making it one of the standout vintages of the decade.
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## **Cellaring and Winemaking**
Each grape variety was **vinified separately**, allowing for precision in extraction and balance. After primary fermentation, **malolactic fermentation took place in barrel** to soften acidity and add complexity.
The wine spent approximately **8 months in 300-liter French oak barrels** (about 60% new and 40% second-fill). After blending, it underwent an **additional 10 months in oak** to integrate the components harmoniously before bottling.
The result is a wine of **depth, structure, and finesse**, with classical Bordeaux character and a distinctly South African sense of place.
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## **Ageing Potential**
Meerlust Rubicon 2017 is built for **long-term ageing**. While approachable after a few years in bottle, it will continue to develop gracefully over **15–30 years** under proper cellar conditions.
With time, the youthful notes of blackcurrant, plum, and spice will evolve into more complex tertiary aromas of **cedar, tobacco, and leather**, while the tannins soften and integrate beautifully.
