Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Having previously visited Bordeaux, Nico Myburgh realised that the terroir there was very similar to that of his farm near the Eerste River. Finally, in 1980 after several years of experimentation with fellow winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia, their new estate was born and it was unlike anything South Africa had seen before. 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 was Nico’s son Hannes’ first vintage in charge, having previously worked at Chateau Lafite, before he took over all control of the family estate. 1988 is regarded as one of the finest vintages in Stellenbosch in the 1980s and the Rubicon is typical and fully mature.