The 2021 Rubicon has quite an extrovert bouquet, more so than the 2001; black plum, dark chocolate and light violet scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe tannins, more body and depth here, cohering nicely towards the slightly lactic finish that fans out nicely. Fine. Tasted at the Meerlust tasting at Berry Brothers & Rudd in London.
A cool green edge, cassis fruit, quite linear and tight. Dried Mediterranean herb character with black fruit and crunchy tannins. A little austere, smoky, with ripe, dried tobacco leaf on the finish.