Meerlust Rubicon 2023: The Latest Vintage of a Stellenbosch Classic
The new vintage of Meerlust Rubicon has arrived. Rubicon 2023 will be available to the UK trade through MMD from late October, and early reviews suggest this is a vintage to watch and one worth securing early.
The wine that changed the Cape
Few wines have shaped South African fine wine quite like Rubicon. Meerlust sits between Stellenbosch and the cooling influence of False Bay, and it has been in the hands of the Myburgh family since 1756. That is eight generations of meticulous vineyard work and classical winemaking.
The Rubicon story began with a family visit to Bordeaux in the 1970s. The Myburghs came home determined to make a Cape wine that could stand alongside the world’s great Bordeaux blends. The first vintage, 1980, was released in 1984 and was among the country’s first serious Bordeaux-style blends.
The name says it all. Like Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon, there was no going back. Today, under winemaker Wim Truter, it remains one of the Cape’s benchmark wines, known for elegance, longevity and a real sense of place.
The 2023 vintage
The season began mild and dry. Smaller berries and naturally lower yields gave the red varieties greater concentration, while a cool ripening period echoed the highly regarded 2021 vintage.
Early phenolic ripening is a hallmark of the area. Together with excellent vineyard health, it meant the vast majority of the fruit was picked before the rains arrived. The result is a vintage of brightness, concentration and freshness, with fine extraction and excellent natural acidity.
In the glass, it reveals intense core of dark fruit, layered with savoury notes of nori, graphite and cool herbs. The palate is tightly coiled at first, then opens with air to show depth, power and persistence.
The blends include 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot. 14% abv.
Why Rubicon 2023
A name your guests know.
Rubicon is one of South Africa’s most recognised fine wines, which makes it an easy recommendation.
Ready now, built to last.
It has the structure for long-term ageing and the balance to be compelling in its youth. Greg Sherwood MW suggests drinking from 2026 to 2045+.
Consistency in a tricky year.
As Tim Atkin MW notes, some Stellenbosch producers struggled in 2023. Meerlust did not.
A classic alternative to Bordeaux.
It offers the same varieties and the same ageing potential, with a strong story for your team to tell.
What the critics says about Rubicon 2023
96 points, Tim Atkin MW
“Meerlust produced another very impressive Rubicon… granite-derived freshness and minerality, youthful cassis, basil, damson and dark chocolate flavours and beautifully sculpted tannins. Bravo!”
96+/100, Greg Sherwood MW, Wine Safari
“This is, once again, the complete package – deep, textured and concentrated yet effortlessly balanced… A class act that is sure to be one of the standout Cape Bordeaux blends of the vintage.”
17/20, Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
“Refined, ripe but not voluptuous, understated dignity… Silky finish.”
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Get in touch
Rubicon 2023 will arrive in the UK in late October. Get in touch with us or your MMD account manager for listing opportunities.
For press enquiry, please contact us at in**@*******co.uk.
