Meerlust Rubicon 2012

The 2012 Rubicon is another superb expression of this iconic Cape wine. Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note and stony minerality also evident on the nose. Still youthful and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured by beautifully sleek, ripe tannins which restrain the vibrant dark fruit typical of this vintage. The wine lingers on the palate with creamy fruit mouthfiilling linear tannins.

Complements: Venison, game, pot roast and noble cheeseIdeally served at 18°C - 20°C.

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variety : Cabernet Sauvignon [ 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot ]

winery : Meerlust Estate

winemaker : Chris Williams

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 14.4 % vol rs : 1.9 g/l pH : 3.6 ta : 5.8 g/l

type : Red style : Dry body : Full taste : Fruity wooded

pack : Bottle size : 0 closure : Cork

AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 - Commended Medal
scored 92 by Neil Martin from The Wine Advocate (eRobertParker.com) December 2012

ageing : 15 - 20 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions.

No Rubicon 2011 was produced.

in the vineyard : The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on low yielding, predominantly biotite partially decomposed granite gravel topsoil rich in quartz and feldspar to a depth of approximately 600mm with a loamy clay subsoil. The Merlot vineyards are planted on more clay rich, yet well drained soils to ensure moisture retention and availability to the vines roots right through the summer. There are considerable deposits of iron-rich Laterite in the Merlot vineyards which accentuates the fruit definition and mineral profile of the wine. The Cabernet Franc Vineyard is situated on very well drained, stony Vilafontes soil with approximately 20% clay which is ideal for this variety. The Petit Verdot is on Oakleaf 3 soils

about the harvest: All the vineyards were green harvested during veraison to reduce yield, increase concentration and fruit definition. The 2012 vintage was another perfect vintage very similar to 2009 with very even canopy development and a long, mild summer. Good winter rains ensured sufficient soil moisture in our clay-rich soils, particularly important for Merlot. A good even start to spring to a warm, dry summer yielded perfectly ripe fruit. The crop was healthy due to the ever- present prevailing South Easterly sea breezes. The fruit from each vineyard was harvested in small lots and fermented separately to monitor vineyard expression.

in the cellar : The Cabernets were given quite lengthy macerations to ensure complete extraction of the perfectly ripe fruit, but the Merlot was given even longer post fermentation maceration to encourage complete polymerization of complex tannins and add a broad, juicy and silky texture to the blend as a whole. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrel for 7 months before assessment and assemblage. The 2012 Rubicon is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this variety now really starting to assert itself as an important component of Rubicon The wine spent a total of 20 months in 65 % new French Nevers oak with 35 % 2nd fill Nevers and Alliers barrels.

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