Cape Heritage and The Loire
Timed Online Auction, 1 - 12 August 2024
Cape Heritage - Red Wines
About the SessionThe Cape Heritage Red Wine Session features 25 lots from The Tabernacle – the famous underground cellar in Stellenbosch that houses some of South Africa’s most spectacular vinous historical treasures. All the lots from The Tabernacle have been recorked; each bottle was opened for inspection, under the protection of an argon gas blanket, and Strauss & Co fine wine specialist Higgo Jacobs along with Amorim tasted and assessed each wine. The wines were topped up with wine from the same vintage, recorked and resealed, all under the supervision of a technical team from Amorim Corks.
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About this Item
Meerlust Estate, owned by the Myburgh family, has been in the family for eight generations. Located 5km from False Bay, the property was given the name 'Meerlust' from the original owner, which means 'pleasure of the sea'. The Meerlust name is synonymous with tradition, elegance and longevity. In fact, it was their Cabernet Sauvignon, produced since 1975, that was the first to carry the Meerlust label.
In 1980 after several years of experimentation, Nico Myburgh with fellow winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia, their new estate was born and it was unlike anything South Africa had seen before. The introduction was a Rubicon moment for South African fine wine market. One of SA’s most recognised blends, The name ‘Rubicon’ is from ancient Roman days as the crucial border of the ancient capital was named the Rubicon River. When the border was crossed it was deemed as an irrevocable point in history, much like the introduction of Rubicon to the South African fine wine market. Meerlust is committed to ensuring that Rubicon becomes even more distinguished and continues to occupy its rightful place amongst the finest wines in the world.
Provenance
The Tabernacle - Stellenbosch
Critics Ratings
'The 1994 is traditional in style with a freshness that belies its age, red berry fruit and delicate complexity.' - Roland Peens, 91/100 (2019)
‘For many – including followers abroad – this remains an ultimate name and statement in Cape claret style. Rubicon remains the quintessence of refined understatement – serious, medium-textured vinosity, ripe but not overripe berry flavours, moderate grip from tannins, essentially dry rather than fruity-sweet. Winemaker Dalla Cia considers Rubicon a “better, richer, more complex wine than cabernet sauvignon on its own could ever be”. Here, the blend is about 65-70% cabernet, 20-25% merlot, balance Cabernet. Franc. New Nevers barrel-matured about 18 months to 2 years, through malo. Dalla Cia has never wavered stylistically: while others see-sawed between bold fruity “New World modernity” and “Cape tradition” this Bordeaux-style standard-bearer has kept a constant course, for nearly 2 decades, openly aiming at European restraint and vinosity. 94 splendid array of layered fruit, tannin, oak.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide (1999)
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