Meerlust Rubicon 2017 Magnum Gift Tin

## **Growing Season (2016–2017)** The 2017 growing season followed a **cold winter**, which ensured proper vine dormancy and a good accumulation of chilling hours. **Spring was warm**, prompting early and even bud break. Although the season remained **relatively dry**—as the Cape continued to experience drought—careful vineyard management and strategic irrigation were used to maintain vine balance and fruit quality. **Yields were kept low** through green harvesting, resulting in highly concentrated fruit. Fruit exposure was managed to ensure even ripening and optimal phenolic development. The **Cabernet Sauvignon** was grown on well-drained gravel and granite soils, **Merlot** on richer clay for moisture retention, **Cabernet Franc** on stony, well-drained soils with some clay, and **Petit Verdot** on Oakleaf soils with northerly exposures for full ripening. Overall, the 2017 vintage was characterized by **excellent fruit concentration, balanced acidity, and refined tannins**, making it one of the standout vintages of the decade. — ## **Cellaring and Winemaking** Each grape variety was **vinified separately**, allowing for precision in extraction and balance. After primary fermentation, **malolactic fermentation took place in barrel** to soften acidity and add complexity. The wine spent approximately **8 months in 300-liter French oak barrels** (about 60% new and 40% second-fill). After blending, it underwent an **additional 10 months in oak** to integrate the components harmoniously before bottling. The result is a wine of **depth, structure, and finesse**, with classical Bordeaux character and a distinctly South African sense of place. — ## **Ageing Potential** Meerlust Rubicon 2017 is built for **long-term ageing**. While approachable after a few years in bottle, it will continue to develop gracefully over **15–30 years** under proper cellar conditions. With time, the youthful notes of blackcurrant, plum, and spice will evolve into more complex tertiary aromas of **cedar, tobacco, and leather**, while the tannins soften and integrate beautifully.