Rubicon, Meerlust Estate 2023

While some Stellenbosch producers struggled in 2023, Meerlust produced another very impressive Rubicon, even more impressive when you consider the 180,000 bottles produced. Partnering Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, this has plenty of colour, granite-derived freshness and minerality, youthful cassis, basil, damson and dark chocolate flavours and beautifully sculpted tannins. Bravo! 2027-38.

46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Grape varieties and parcels were fermented separately before being pressed to 300-litre French oak barrels for malolactic and eight months' ageing. The wine spent another 10 months in barrel after blending. Beautiful red-plum, sage and brick-dust nose. Refined, ripe but not voluptuous, understated dignity. Very finely knit tannins running parallel with a long graphite-and-loam, mineral-and-earth backbone. Silky finish. Drink: 2026-2038