Strauss & co - 10 - 11 May 2020, Cape Town

17 75 Meerlust Rubicon 1994 (6 bottle lot) ‘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 malolactic fermentation. Dalla Cia has never wavered stylistically: while others see-sawed between bold fruity “NewWorld 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 ‘The 1994 is traditional in style with a freshness that belies its age, red berry fruit and delicate complexity.’ – Roland Peens, 91 points, 2019 R8 000 - 10 000 62 Meerlust Rubicon 1995 (12 bottle lot) 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.’ Stored in professional cellaring since release, this is an extraordinarily rare investment opportunity to purchase a pristine 12-bottle case of arguably the greatest Rubicon vintage. R30 000 - 35 000 85 Meerlust Rubicon 2007 (12 bottle lot) This wine gained a position on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines of the Year in 2012. ‘Approaching its 30th birthday, Cab- based blend with Merlot, Cab Franc still a Cape benchmark. Splendid 2007 (5 stars) reflects work in the vineyard, with remarkably intense fruit core, currently masked by firm, integrated tannin which should preserve charms to 2025. Like 2006, restrained not showy.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2012, 5 stars R10 000 - 12 000