In celebration of the 25th vintage of Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the Le Riche family hosted a pre-release tasting of the new vintage Le Riche Reserve Cabernet 2021 in their Le Riche Cellar.
Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of Le Riche Chardonnay 2022, the only white wine in the Le Riche portfolio. Subtle oaking highlights the fresh fruit and citrus zest, leading to a crisp entry with a balanced creaminess on the palate. A flinty edge complements the vibrant acidity, creating a well-rounded, appetising wine with a long, refined finish. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Helderberg Coastal and Polkadraai wards.
We tasted five wines, including Vogelzang Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault 2014, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Richesse 2022, and the soon-to-be-released Le Riche Reserve 2021. Tim Atkin believes the 2021 vintage could rank as one of the Cape’s best-ever vintages to date.
Vogelzang Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault 2014
Delicate and elegant, this perfectly matured wine blends two varietals in the traditional South African style, showcasing their remarkable aging potential. It showcases the untold history of the Helderberg. Vogelzang, meaning “the song of the bird,” was one of the original Cape title-deeds granted over three centuries ago to Sara Tas, one of Stellenbosch’s first Free Burghers.
Richesse 2022: Named for the wealth of winemaking history in Stellenbosch, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend includes Cinsaut and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: The backbone of the range, this wine embodies all the qualities of a Le Riche Cabernet. Supple, elegant, and rich with layers of fruit, it represents Le Riche’s expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013:Aromas of lead pencil shavings and cedar enhance the wine’s complexity and sophistication. The palate reveals sweet, ripe fruit balanced by firmly structured, juicy tannins. A lingering, balanced finish hints at its potential for further development, underpinned by elegance.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021: True to the Cabernet style, this wine is expressive with fresh plums, blackberries, cherry, and violet, which mirror on the palate. Brooding and dense yet sophisticated, it offers a rich, velvety, and opulent palate with lively purity and a creamy mouthfeel. The long, complex finish highlights its great maturation potential.
Contact Details
Email: wine@leriche.co.za
Tel: 021 842 3472
Categories: Le Riche Wines
