Meerlust Rubicon 2020 vs Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2022
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications. One of these is currently out of stock across tracked merchants.
| Availability | Out of stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | — | £35.99 |
| Current stockists | — | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Meerlust | Raats |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot | Cabernet Franc |
| Region | Bordeaux | Stellenbosch |
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy | No current tracked offers |
Meerlust Rubicon 2020
Meerlust Rubicon is the flagship wine of one of South Africa's most iconic and historic estates, a premium Bordeaux blend from Stellenbosch that has defined the benchmark for Cape red wine since its first vintage in 1980. Structured, full-bodied and deeply elegant, with a rich core of dark fruit, layered spice and seamlessly integrated oak, this is a wine of genuine greatness and exceptional ageing potential. Why You'll Love It Meerlust Estate has been in the Myburgh family since 1756, and under eighth-generation Hannes Myburgh the estate continues its tradition of meticulous, terroir-driven winemaking from its unique coastal position near False Bay. The cooling maritime influence ensures slow, even ripening and concentration of flavours across the estate's four distinctive terroirs. Rubicon is the expression of all of that heritage, precision and place in a single bottle, and remains one of the Cape's most celebrated and collectible wines. Vineyard & Production Fruit is drawn from four distinct terroirs on the estate: Die Kop with coarse granitic soils producing bold structure; River Terraces with sandy, river-stone soils promoting delicate, fruit-forward character; Quarry with rocky greywacke and shale yielding precision and red fruit; and Lowlands with clay-rich soils giving smooth, silky textures with prominent black fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are fermented separately before malolactic fermentation in 300-litre barrels and large foudre. After 8 months in barrel the components are blended and aged for a further 10 months to harmonise flavours and structure. Tasting Notes Deep, youthful colour with a purple hue. Aromas of violets, ripe plum, cedarwood, fennel, liquorice and spice. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with fresh dark fruit, rounded tannins and seamlessly integrated oak. A wine of real depth and persistence. Perfect Pairings A natural partner for venison, game, pot roast and noble cheeses. Also excellent
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2022
Raats Family Wines was established in 2000 by Bruwer Raats, guided by a philosophy of excellence through specialisation. Focusing on two then-unfashionable varieties, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc , Bruwer discovered that the unique granite-based terroir of the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch produced exceptional wines. Today, Raats is considered one of South Africa's benchmark producers of Cabernet Franc, with this wine scoring 95 points from Vinous and 94 points from Tim Atkin. Why You'll Love It This is Red Wine of genuine class and refinement. Luscious and elegant, it harmoniously blends dark fruit, tobacco and spice with soft, integrated tannins and a long, mineral finish. Crafted with care and designed to be savoured slowly, it represents outstanding quality from one of the Cape's most focused and purposeful producers. Vineyard and Production. Vines are grown at elevations between 300 and 400 metres above sea level in decomposed dolomite granite soils, unirrigated and yielding approximately 6 tonnes per hectare. Grapes are hand-sorted three times, crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for five days. After fermentation at 28 degrees, the wine is basket-pressed and undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. It is then aged for 18 months in French Vicard and Mercury oak barrels, 30% new, to develop complexity and depth. Tasting Notes. A luscious and elegant Cabernet Franc, harmoniously blending blackberry, black cherry and plum with notes of tobacco, cinnamon and spice. Soft, refined tannins integrate seamlessly, while hints of dark chocolate and minerality linger on the long finish. Perfect Pairings. An excellent match for rich meat dishes including pork loin, beef fillet and game. Also well suited to slow-braised lamb and aged hard cheeses. Grape Varieties. Cabernet Franc
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