Stellenbosch, South Africa
A magnificent Rubicon blend
It was my fifth day in country touring South Africa, and my
second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a
self-driving tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the
day did not feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I
got smart and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a
guide could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region
by discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa.
I discovered Stephen after reading a book on South African tourism in the wine
section and saw that he had been recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore,
for R 1,900.00 per person for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up
in Cape Town and we were off to our first Stellenbosch winery tasting at Meerlust. 
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Wine
Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
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96 – 100
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Extraordinary
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90 – 95
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Outstanding
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80 – 89
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above average
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70 – 79
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below average
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60 – 69
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poor/appalling/ “Cac”
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Review basics:
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Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
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90/100
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4.5 of 5 on all wines 2008,
2009, 2010
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Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
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92/100 by Neil Martin on the Rubicon 2008
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Wines Produced
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot
Noir, Bordeaux Blend (aka Meritage)
White: Chardonnay,
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Grape Blends
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc, and
Petit Verdot
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Current Vintage for 2013/14
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Reds: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Whites: 2011
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Region Map
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Stellenbosch
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Regulatory
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ABV %
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13.67%, 13.9%, 14.1%, 14.7%
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Barrel Types
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French oak, new and second fill casks,
New Allier Hogsheads, and 45% second fill casks
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Barrel Aging
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11, 18 months, Rubicon 20 months
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South
African wine Quality Standards:
Unlike some European countries, South Africa does not have
any requirements for the process of making wines in a particular region—for
instance, allowing only certain trellising methods or varietals. However, there
are certain quality requirements. For a
wine to be labeled as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular
region, estate, or vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality
characteristics,” which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess
sediment or crystals, have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable
flavor characteristics. Among the several characteristics listed as
unacceptable, a wine may not be overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For
a wine to be labeled as coming from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used
to make the wine must have been grown there, and producers may only label their
wines using officially-recognized geographic areas. In addition to designating a particular
geographic unit, region, district, or ward, a producer may also designate the
wine as coming from a particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard
wine.” However, to do so the producer
must first register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and
Spirit Board. Single-vineyard wines must
have been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered
with the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares. Estate wines must be made entirely—including
bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown. Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar”
as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used
in making the wine must have been of that type. This same 85% rule applies to
designating a particular vintage year.
Cases Produced:
Per Year:
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Cabernet Sauvignon
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3,000
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Chardonnay
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3,000
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Merlot
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5,000
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Pinot Noir
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2,500
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Red
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3,700
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Rubicon
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10,000
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Price chart:
$ - Under $50.00 USD
$$ - Over $50.00 USD
$$$ - Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ - Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$- Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:
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Wine Selction:
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Currency:
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Country:
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Price Chart :
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Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (750 ml)
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R225.00
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ZAR
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$20.38
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USD
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$
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£12.23
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GBP
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£
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€14.87
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EUR
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€
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¥124.70
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Chardonnay 2011 (750 ml)
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R181.00
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ZAR
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$16.40
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USD
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$
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£9.84
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GBP
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£
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€11.96
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EUR
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€
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¥100.31
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Merlot 2009 (750 ml)
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R225.00
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ZAR
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$20.38
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USD
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$
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£12.23
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GBP
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£
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€14.87
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EUR
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€
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¥124.70
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Pinot Noir 2011 (750 ml)
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R215.00
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ZAR
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$19.48
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USD
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$
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£11.69
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GBP
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£
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€14.21
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EUR
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€
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¥119.15
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Red 2011 (750 ml)
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R148.00
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ZAR
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$13.41
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USD
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$
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£8.04
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GBP
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£
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€9.78
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EUR
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€
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¥82.02
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CNY
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¥¥
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Rubicon 2008 (750 ml)
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R300.00
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ZAR
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$27.18
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USD
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$
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£16.31
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GBP
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£
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€19.83
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EUR
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€
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¥166.26
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CNY
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¥¥¥
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Visit these sites to
get up to date currency rates:
Alternatively,
visit:
Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
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Signature tasting:
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$3.00
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Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes
From vineyards home page:
Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust
Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the
traditional dedication to the art of wine making continues under the guidance of
Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century
national monument.
Meerlust, with its historic manor house, classic wine
cellar, family cemetery, dovecote and bird sanctuary is situated fifteen
kilometers south of Stellenbosch, with the blue crescent of False Bay a mere
five kilometers away. Wines are only made from grapes grown on the Estate,
which is uniquely positioned for the production of wines with exceptional
complexity and character.
Main review:
Stephen Flesch of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa
had picked me up in Cape Town, and we began are drive out to the Meerlust
Vineyard, and along the way went into more details about the wine industry in
South Africa. As we arrived at the Estate going down the long road with large
tree’s covering us on both sides, and grape vines beyond them. The estate house
and land was stunningly beautiful. The staff was preparing for a wedding or
other large event, and we were early, so I walked around the estate a little.
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| Courtesy of Meerlust |
When we began the tasting I was given a sampling of seven
wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Red blend, and
the premium wine at the estate, the Rubicon. All of the wines had a fantastic
flavor, but for me the top two wines on the list were the 2009 Merlot and the
2008 Rubicon. This was a wonderful start to the day.
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| Courtesy of Meerlust |
Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included
in the overall price for each winery that day. As an American visiting South
Africa, the tastings in both Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience
within themselves, much different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma,
California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon
starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South
Africa I was shocked. The average is $3.00-$6.00, Meerlust being $3.00 (ZAR30.00)
This or these wines remind me
of:
The Chardonnay was very full balanced and sharp reminding me
of Rombauer Vineyards in St. Helena in
Napa Valley, California. However, the prize, the Rubicon vintage brought me
back to Bordeaux with vineyards like Le Château Prieuré-Lichine, and other wonderful Meritage blends that I have
had in the past such as Cosentino Winery, 2009 “The Poet” in Napa a few miles from the Rombauer Vineyard.
Bouquet
& Palette:
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Nose:
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Palette Experience:
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Very bright, polished platinum with green, vivacious hue.
Complex, appealing nose with quince, citrus and floral notes developing into
lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan richness.
Ageing Potential up to six years, provided wine is stored
in ideal cellar conditions.
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On the palate the wine is full bodied and generous, but still
balanced by crisp acidity. There is ripe tropical fruit & creaminess
balanced by a pure minerality typical of the variety. The wine has a long,
very pleasant lingering finish indicating the richness and persistence of the
vintage.
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Intense dark fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum
with hints of dark chocolate and spice. AGING POTENTIAL up to 12 years,
provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions
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The full-bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot
fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronounced
length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness
typical of the variety
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Lifted perfume on the nose with red berry fruit, musk,
wild and hints of savory richness and spice and a pronounced minerality.
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Very pure Pinot fruit flavors on entry with red cherry and
musk flavors coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with
great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy tannin on the finish.
Ageing Potential up to 2018, provided wine is stored in
ideal cellar conditions.
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The nose is expressive with powerful cassis, plum, exotic
spice and hints of floral aromas.
Ageing Potential is 12 - 15 years from vintage date.
52% Merlot, 33% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
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On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with intense flavors
of crushed black fruit, cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate. The tannins are
soft and silky, the acidity fresh, the flavor profile focused and linear. The
wine has a persistent and long-lasting aftertaste.
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Very deep, youthful color and intense almost purple hue.
Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense
spiciness. Still young and still intense, promising further maturation
potential.
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The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with
fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins.
Ageing Potential is 15 - 20 years, provided wine is stored
in ideal cellar conditions.
71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19%
Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
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On the nose, the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic
cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas.
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On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and impressively
structured. Intense blackcurrant and plum fruit bolstered by refined tannins
and fresh natural acidity. The palate is rich and dense with a wonderful lacy
tannic structure. Very impressive in youth but the intensity, harmony and
balance all promise maturation over the next 15 years.
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Château or Vineyard Owner:
Hannes Myburgh
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| Courtesy of Meerlust |
Viticulturist:
Roelie Joubert
Winemaker:
Chris Williams
Altus Treurnicht
Tasting room address:
Baden Powell Drive
Stellenbosch 7599
South Africa
Cross streets:
Simmons Way & Van Riebeeck Road
Contact Information:
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Tasting room:
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+27 21 843 3587
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Fax:
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+27 21 843 3274
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Website:
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Email:
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Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00
pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday Closed
S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)
Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE)
Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:
“I like cooking with wine;
sometimes I even add it to the food.”
