In 1980, after several years of experimentation and visits to Bordeaux, the new blend was born and it was unlike anything South Africa had seen before. The introduction was a Rubicon moment for South African fine wine market.

Made by Giorgio, 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.

This iconic vintage graced the back page of Decanter’s magazine in 2000 with Michael Broadbent describing the vintage as ‘One of the Cape’s classics… Good fruit, lovely flavour and remarkably good value.’ In the same year Pierre Rovani reviewed the wine for The Wine Advocate, finding a cornucopia of fruits: ‘It exhibits fabulous aromas of dark fruits, spices, and some candied strawberries. It has a lovely satiny structure, excellent focus, elegance, and is crafted in a feminine style. This concentrated, spicy, cherry and blackberry syrup-flavoured offering has an exceptional finish filled with plums and tangy blackcurrants.’