Meerlust Rubicon is one of this country's truly iconic red blends. Occasionally, very occasionally, after the requisite time in barrel and bottle in the Meerlust cellar, it is deemed by its makers to be less superb than it should be. It is then downgraded and simply called Meerlust Red. Experience has shown that, kept for a few years, this is still a wonderful wine. We were given a sample of the latest Meerlust Red, the 2019. On the nose and palate, it has rich berry fruit; we tasted raspberrry and blueberry as well as cassis. Assertive acidity, as one would expect from a young wine, and the fruit is not overpowered by the wood, which makes a subtle statement on the finish. It will be interesting to taste it again in five years, after which time we'd expect it to have matured very well. 18/20
