De Grendel’s Rubaiyat is the estate’s flagship Bordeaux-style blend and one of South Africa’s most consistently acclaimed red wines. Produced only in vintages of exceptional quality, Rubaiyat reflects meticulous vineyard selection and masterful blending.
The 2020 vintage comes from a warm, balanced growing season in the Durbanville region, resulting in a wine of generous fruit concentration, plush texture and impressive age-worthiness.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby with a nearly opaque garnet centre.
Nose: Expressive and layered. Aromas of ripe blackcurrant, cassis and blackberry are supported by notes of cedar, cigar box, crushed violets and hints of mocha and baking spice.
Palate: Rich and full-bodied with velvety tannins. Flavours of dark plum, black cherry and cassis unfold over a framework of well-integrated French oak. Subtle graphite, cocoa, and savoury herbal accents add depth. Despite its concentration, the palate remains balanced by fresh acidity and elegant structure.
Finish: Long, polished and persistent, with lingering black fruit, fine tannins and a refined touch of oak spice. Built for long-term evolution.
Awards & Accolades for Rubaiyat
The 2020 vintage of De Grendel Rubaiyat received a Gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards (2025) with a score of 95/10
Technical Details
Producer: De Grendel Wine Estate, Durbanville, Western Cape
Vintage: 2020
Wine Style: Bordeaux-style red blend
Grape Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon-led, with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc (typical for Rubaiyat; proportions vary by vintage)
Maturation: Aged in French oak barrels (largely new) for ±18–20 months
Alcohol: ±14.0–14.5% ABV
Bottle Size: 750ml
Cellaring Potential: 12–20+ years
Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Food Pairing
Excellent with prime rib, lamb rump, venison loin, beef fillet, truffle dishes, and mature hard cheeses. Its depth also complements richer sauces and slow-cooked meats.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
