Red Wines (archived)

The Meerlust wine Estate producers a variety of fine red wines such as the Rubicon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The wines are all made from grapes grown on the Estate and matured in French oak.

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2013

Intense, vivid translucent youthful purple-ruby appearance. On the palate there are very pure Pinot fruit flavours on entry with red cherry and musk flavours coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy, almost powdery tannin on the finish. read more »
Alc: 13.3 RS: 2.79 pH: 3.57 TA: 5.7 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2012

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2017

Intense, vivid translucent youthful purple-ruby appearance. The wine shows pronounced lifted perfume on the nose with red berry fruit, musk, wild mushrooms and hints of savoury richness and spice and a clean vibrant minerality. . On the palate there are very pure Pinot fruit flavours on entry with red cherry and musk flavours coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy, almost powdery tannin on the finish. read more »
Alc: 12.4 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.64 TA: 5.4 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2010

Intense translucent youthful purple-ruby appearance. Very forthcoming perfume on the nose with musk, wild strawberry, cranberry and hints of savoury richness and spice and a pronounced minerality. The palate is medium bodied with pure Pinot Noir fruit flavours of plum and red cherry supported by an ultra-fine, densely textured tannin structure which adds to the volume and vivacity of the wine. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.33 pH: 3.52 TA: 5.9 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2016

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2015 - SOLD OUT

Meerlust Merlot 2014

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The full bodied palate offers generous, ripe, pure Merlot fruit with refreshing acidity, structured yet silky tannins and pronoun3.4ced length and minerality. There is a core of juiciness, opulence and richness typical of the variety, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.49 TA: 6.13 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot 2010 - SOLD OUT

39Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice. 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. read more »
Alc: 14.1 RS: 3.0 pH: 3.60 TA: 6.3 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot 2008

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice. 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 read more »
Alc: 15.0 RS: 2.9 pH: 3.47 TA: 6.2 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot 2012

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. 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 read more »
Alc: 13.5 RS: 2.3 pH: 3.49 TA: 6.2 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot 2013

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. 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, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine. read more »
Alc: 13.5 RS: 2.9 pH: 3.39 TA: 6.7 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot Collector`s Tin 750ml

Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. 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, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine. read more »
Alc: 13.5 RS: 2.9 pH: 3.39 TA: 6.7 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Merlot 2015

2015 was a watershed vintage for our Merlot. We have been refining the viticulture to produce more balanced, flavourful fruit. This, coupled with the perfect conditions of 2015 has produced our best Merlot yet. Deep, youthful purple colour with a ruby rim. Intense dark brambly fruit on the nose, mulberry, liquorice and damson plum with hints of dark chocolate and spice, tempered by a stony minerality. The medium-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, while the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot lend greater complexity to the wine.

read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.69 TA: 5.6 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. 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. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.6 TA: 5.9 VA: 0.7 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. 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. read more »
Alc: 13.5 RS: 3.3 pH: 3.56 TA: 6.3 VA: 0.67 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. 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. read more »
Alc: 14.3 RS: 2.28 pH: 3.57 TA: 6.1 VA: 0.66 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. 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. read more »
Alc: 13.5 RS: 3.3 pH: 3.56 TA: 6.3 VA: 0.67 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon Collector`s Tin 750ml

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. 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.
read more »
Alc: 15.0 RS: 1.7 pH: 3.71 TA: 5.9 VA: 0.63 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

2The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 has an intense, vivid purple colour with slight gradation at the rim.

On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas.

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.
read more »
Alc: 14.7 RS: 2.82 pH: 3.57 TA: 5.92 VA: 0.66 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

The Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 has an intense, youthful purple colour with slight gradation at the rim. On the nose the wine shows intense cassis, mulberry, plum and classic cedar wood-cigar box notes with lifted dark fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is full bodied and impressively structured with rich blackcurrant and plum fruit bolstered by refined tannins and fresh natural acidity. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.6 TA: 5.9 VA: 0.7 SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Red 2011

The wine has an intense, dark purple colour with a violet rim; bright and vivacious in the glass, 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 soft and silky, the acidity fresh, the flavour profile focused and linear. The wine has a persistent and long-lasting aftertaste. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 2.3 pH: 3.60 TA: 6.1 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2010

The 2010 Rubicon is a classic vintage of this iconic Cape wine. Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note also evident on the nose. Still young and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins. read more »
Alc: 14.5 RS: 2.9 pH: 3.5 TA: 6.2 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2015

Tasted in early 2018, the Rubicon 2015 is showing all of the hallmarks of a great, classic vintage of Rubicon. Incredibly dense purple-ebony core with very slight gradation at the rim. The nose is brooding, dark bramble fruit, cassis, plum, incense and liquorice, it is still very tightly coiled, slowly offering cigar box, crushed stone and subtle oak spice. On the palate the wine is concentrated yet restrained with dark fruit flavours of pastille, mulberry and dark chocolate, all held in an intricate lattice of polished sleek grape tannin. Still very young yet approachable, this Rubicon promises a long future of maturation and enjoyment.

read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 3.4 pH: 3.66 TA: 5.6 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2013

The 2013 Rubicon classic expression of this iconic Cape wine. Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note and stony minerality also evident on the nose. Still youthful and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured by beautifully sleek, ripe tannins which restrain the vibrant dark fruit typical of this vintage, giving the wine an opulent texture which is kept focused by the linear acidity. The wine lingers on the palate with creamy fruit mouthfiilling tannins. read more »
Alc: 13.9 RS: 2.1 pH: 3.53 TA: 6.12 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2008 - SOLD OUT

Very deep, youthfull colour, 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. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins. read more »
Alc: 14.0 RS: 1.5 pH: 3.65 TA: 6.4 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2009

The 2009 Rubicon is one of the very best produced to date. A combination of almost perfect weather conditions and mature, healthy and properly sighted vines has ensured a classic, expressive Rubicon. Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose withviolets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. Still young and still intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins. read more »
Alc: 14.5 RS: 2.4 pH: 3.6 TA: 6.0 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon Collector's Tin 750ml

Meerlust Rubicon 2012

The 2012 Rubicon is another superb expression of this iconic Cape wine. Very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note and stony minerality also evident on the nose. Still youthful and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured by beautifully sleek, ripe tannins which restrain the vibrant dark fruit typical of this vintage. The wine lingers on the palate with creamy fruit mouthfiilling linear tannins. read more »
Alc: 14.4 RS: 1.9 pH: 3.6 TA: 5.8 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2014

The 2014 Rubicon displays the restraint and elegance of the cooler vintage. Still showing a very deep, youthful colour, and intense almost purple hue. Beautifully perfumed and floral nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. A typical liquorice note and stony minerality also evident on the nose. Still youthful and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is medium bodied, structured by beautifully sleek, ripe tannins which restrain the vibrant delicate fruit typical of this vintage, giving the wine an opulent texture which is kept focused by the linear acidity. The wine lingers on the palate with creamy fruit mouthfiilling tannins read more »
Alc: 14.1 RS: 2.2 pH: 3.51 TA: 5.91 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2007

Very deep, youthful colour, intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood and intense spiciness. Still young and intense, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins. read more »
Alc: 14.1 RS: 2.9 pH: 3.65 TA: 6.03 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Pinot Noir 2011

Intense, vivid translucent youthful purple-ruby appearance.

Lifted perfume on the nose with red berry fruit, musk, wild and hints of savoury richness and spice and a pronounced minerality .

Very pure Pinot fruit flavours on entry with red cherry and musk flavours coupled with fresh acidity. The wine has layered complexity with great elegance and finesse. Very fine lacy tannin on the finish. read more »
Alc: 13.9 RS: 2.5 pH: 3.59 TA: 5.2 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2006 (Magnum)

Very deep, youthfull colour, intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedarwood and intense spicinesss. Still very young but brooding, promising further maturation potential. The palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded, linear tannins.
read more »
Alc: 14.39 RS: 2.98 pH: 3.56 TA: 6.00 VA: SO2: FSO2:

Meerlust Rubicon 2005 (Magnum)

The wine has an intense, opaque deep ruby colour, very slight gradation to the rim. Bright and vivacious in the glass, very youthful. The nose is brooding and restrained at this stage, yet beginning to emerge with deep, dark fruit, cassis, plum and black cherry. There is a pronounced minerality on the nose with graphite, cedar smoke and cigar box bouquet. The palate is beautifully structured, fuller bodied than some earlier vintages of Rubicon due to the intensity of the fruit and intricate tannin structure. The wine exhibits rich juiciness and savour already, but the compactness and sinewy taughtness of this young wine suggest a long maturation potential. The perfectly formed, ripe tannins are densely packed and tightly woven but remain lithe and almost powdery, giving the wine a generous opulence even at this early phase of its development.
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Alc: 14.42 RS: 2.45 pH: 3.76 TA: 5.57 VA: SO2: FSO2: