🍇70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 20% Merlot / 10% Cabernet Franc

Located in the Eerste River Valley (Stellenbosch) just next to the river, this world famous winery is surrounded by soils of decomposed granite and clay.

Its proximity to the sea allows its vineyards to benefit from the cooling effect of the prevailing south-east wind during the hot Cape summers, permitting a slow ripening of the grapes for a rich varietal aroma.

First of all, the color is amazing. Almost blood red with a purple depth and a light brown edge.

Leave it open for an hour at least, and the bouquet slowly opens with a black cherry and plummy  base, followed by tobacco, baked capsicum, pepper, cloves and forrest floor with a hint of pencil shavings. There’s a clear tone of toasted oak to it as well (makes sense: the wine is matured in 80% new Nevers barrique and 20% second fill).

The palate is medium bodied with an impressive freshness and tannic structure taken the age in consideration.

Together with flavors of blackcurrant, prunes, dark chocolate and an olive-like finish, this is all in all a very delicate and well balanced Stellenbosch wine.

 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, 2000 - Stellenbosch, South Africa🇿🇦

Another one from Meerlust. This time something totally different from what I’d call a traditional Chardonnay.

Actually, I’m in doubt if the wine is a little bit off... in some weird (maybe not bad) way. No matter what, it was an exciting experience.

In the beginning, I couldn’t really place the spices of the nose. I clearly got some pineapple, kumquat, yellow apple and acacia, but there was a very special minerality and petrol-like scent. Also a bit of parmesan...

After a while in the glass it smoothed out a bit, and more classic notes showed up: Marzipan, lemon, toasted bread, buttercup and cloves.

But still with a little, weird camphor in the background.

The palate is round, medium+ bodied and has a lovely sharp acidity.

A mix of muskmelon, pomelo and lemon fromage is the main fundament of the wine, followed closely by browned butter, oak, hazelnuts, heather and clay pot. It’s also a bit petrol-like on the tongue.

I have to try it again, to see if it was off or not.

Meerlust Estate Rubicon, 2000 - Stellenbosch, South Africa🇿🇦

Meerlust Estate Chardonnay, 2007 - Stellenbosch, South