1988 Meerlust, Rubicon, Stellenbosch

Meerlust’s Rubicon is one of South Africa’s most celebrated Bordeaux-style reds, and the 1988 vintage is a fascinating example of mature Stellenbosch. Cabernet Sauvignon-led and complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it offers layers of cassis, dried black fruit, cedar, tobacco, leather and earthy, savoury notes. Decades of bottle age have softened the tannins and brought considerable tertiary complexity, while the wine retains the structure and depth that have made Rubicon a benchmark for South African red wine.