News from Meerlust Estate: A new vintage release, Tim Atkin results, wine travels and more

Monday, 14 October, 2024

Meerlust Estate

Meerlust Estate shares news about the new release of Meerlust Estate Red, recent wine awards, wine travels, and more.

Spring 2024

Finally, we have some wonderful warm weather in the Western Cape. On Meerlust Estate, we are in the process of planting a final 5 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, to complete our 25 ha replanting program started in 2020. These new vineyards will be used for the production of the Estate Red, until the new Cabernet Sauvignon is ready to play an important role in the Rubicon blend.

Left: New Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards planted on the decomposed granite soils of Compagniesdrift. Right: Merlot vineyards planted in 2023 on the duplex soils of the Lowland.

New release: Meerlust Red 2021

The Meerlust Red, initially introduced into the range in years only when the Rubicon wasn't released, has now become a permanent wine in the range. Produced completely from Estate grown fruit, it's often a combination of younger vineyards on the Estate and more approachable sites, with less oak aging thereby creating a more accessible second label wine from the Meerlust Estate.

Tim Atkin MW - 91 points:

"The Meerlust Red has hit volumes of 140,000 bottles and been a noticeable success. Led by Cabernet Franc, with a supporting chorus of 25% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot, this uses grapes from young vine parcels. Mint, graphite and red berries combine to get effect here, embellished by a lick of oak. 2024-29"

Click HERE to buy it now.

Tim Atkin MW scores the Meelust Estate range

Meerlust Chardonnay 2023 - 93 points
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2023 - 93 points
Meerlust Estate Red 2021 - 91 points
Meerlust Merlot 2021 - 93 points
Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 - 95 points
Meerlust Rubicon 2021 - 98 points

Meerlust Rubicon 2021: last of this great vintage available

"The 2021 Rubicon matured in 300-liter barrels and a large foudre for 18 months, averaging out to 50% new French oak. It has a tightly wound bouquet with black plum, black olive and light floral scents, finely delineated but needing time to open. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy blackberry and raspberry fruit, firm backbone and a grippy, off-dry finish. I would give this three or four years in bottle to round its edges. Fine." - Vinous | Neal Martin | Sept. 2024

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Meerlust travels

September was a busy month for the Meerlust team, who spent some time visiting some of the international markets that Meerlust wines are exported to.

Our cellarmaster, Wim Truter, visited the UK for tasting events with the Wine Society in London and Nottingham, as well as a dinner event at Restaurant Viviat Bacchus.

Our viticulturist, Izak Basson, presented our wines at The Stables Wine Show in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Izak (2nd from the left) with some wine colleagues all dressed up for The Stables Wine Show.

And lastly, our sales and marketing manager, Deidré Taylor, visited Japan, China, South Korea, and Hong Kong, showing our wines at a number of tastings and dinner events.

Deidré with Chef James Park and his team at 1 Michelin star Muoki Restaurant in Seoul. Chef James previously worked at Test Kitchen in Cape Town.

Wine tasting options at Meerlust Estate

Our tasting room is open to receive visitors from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00, and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 14h00.

Standard tasting (no booking required): We offer a tasting of our full range of wines, including the Rubicon at R75 pp, which is refundable per person who purchase wine after their tasting.
Seated VIP tasting (booking required): Our VIP tasting will be presented by a senior member of the team, in our private seated tasting room. It includes our full range of current vintage wines, as well as an older vintage of Rubicon and one of our other Estate wines, these are served in Riedel varietal range glassware. A fee of R150 per person applies.

For bookings, please email tasting@meerlust.co.za.