The Meerlust Rubicon is always a benchmark when discussion Bordeaux blends from South Africa. The flagship wine from Meerlust, I loved the 2018 vintage from this consummate producer. 2018 was a real drought-pressure year in Stellenbosch, with smaller berries and lower yields across the board. The result is a darkly concentrated, powerful vintage of Rubicon. I actually preferred it to the widely acclaimed '17 and '15. The oak is a strong component here, but matched evenly with the fruit. There's ample richness on the palate and concentration with slivers of vanilla that come through on the mid palate and ride to the finish. Cassis and black cherry are the dominate fruit flavors with a tannin profile that starts smooth as silk and grip hauntingly at the finish. A great vintage from one of South Africa's most consistently excellent producers.