Meerlust Red 2019

Meerlust Red, Meerlust Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019

Grapes: A blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, deep soils rich in clay & granite, each grape variety fermented separately and aged 17 months in large French oak (46% new)

Producer Tasting Note:

The ‘Red’ is the perfect introduction to the wines from this great estate – and tremendous value. The wine has an intense, dark purple colour with a violet rim. Bright and vivacious in the glass, very youthful. The nose is expressive with powerful cassis, plum, exotic spice and hints of floral aromas. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with intense flavours of crushed black fruit, cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate. The tannins are very soft and silky with fresh acidity and a focused, linear flavour profile. The wine has a persistent and long lasting aftertaste.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Notes of cherry, licorice and a hint of aniseed form a delicate nose. Mildly astringent tannins and vigorous acidity support grilled bell pepper and ripe plum flavors. Hints of smoke emerge on the finish."

87/100 points, WINE ENTHUSIAST, April 2023

"Sadly, there is no Rubicon in 2019, as all the parts were declassified. Thankfully, the 2019 Meerlust Red was blended from 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The nose is juicy and ripe with fresh red fruit tones, turned earth and soft brown baking spices before showing delightfully dusty flowers that lift the bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, this is rich, precise and focused, offering a balanced structure with a firm tannic edge, while flavors of red cherry skin and spiced plums sway over the long, lingering and spicy finish. The wine aged in 46% new French oak for 17 months. 180,000 bottles were produced. This may be the best bottling of Meerlust Red yet!"  Drink 2023-2030

91/100 points, Anthony Mueller, WINE ADVOCATE, July 2023

Also awarded 92/100 points by Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021

Meerlust has been owned by the Myburgh family since 1756 and today is run by the eighth generation, Hannes Myburgh.  The name Meerlust means “pleasure of the sea”, as the property is situated 5km from False Bay (and 15km south of Stellenbosch), with the cooling influence of the coast, allowing the grapes ripen slowly.

In 1985, the estate released its first Red blend, which marked the first declassification of its flagship Rubicon wine. Since then, the Meerlust Red has been reserved for vintages that do not meet the estate’s exacting quality standards for Rubicon. However, due to the popularity of the Meerlust Red and the estate’s focus on nurturing young vineyards, the wine has been added as a permanent fixture in the Meerlust range from 2020.

Food Match: Serve at 18°C with casseroles, venison, game or cheese. Also great with spicy dishes.