A phenomenal expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon with a maritime influence that sets it apart, yet with a nod to Bordeaux. With carefully selected fruit from the cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch, the wine gains its complexity by expertly blending fruit from 4 specifically diverse terroirs.
Production
Fruit is sourced from a variety of sites ranging from the sandy gravel soils of the Firgrove and Raithby ward to sandy/loamy granite soils of the Jonkershoek ward. In essence, it is a blend of Stellenbosch Cabernets showing the variety of terroirs to be found, all harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Five days fermentation in open concrete tanks with temperature control and regular manual plunging and pump-overs. The malolactic fermentation was carried out in lined concrete tanks after which the wine was transferred to 225L French oak barrels (25% new oak) where it was matured for 20 months.
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2023 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
A pure, intensly varietal nose with fine cassis aromas and notes of ripe cherries and fresh plum. Balanced on the nose by vanilla and cedar spice. The palate has great depth of blackcurrant and complex layers of fruit and spice plus smooth velvety tannins with a firm structure and lengthy finish.
Food match
Try with slow-cooked lamb shank or a rich and savoury beef or veggie stew.
Info
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ABV
14%
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CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
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REGION/COUNTRY
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
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GRAPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 100%
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FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN
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CLOSURE
CORK
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WINEMAKER
CHRISTO LE RICHE
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ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
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Meet the producer
Le Riche is a family run estate founded by Etienne Le Riche in 1996. Situated close to the historic town of Stellenbosch, the winery is perched on the slopes of the Heldeberg Mountain and surrounded by the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountain range.
If youre based in Stellenbosch and going to specialise in something, Cabernet is a great choice! Le Riche are known as ‘Cabernet Masters’ and rightly so. They select grapes from the best possible Stellenbosch terroirs to craft top quality Cabernets with superb cellaring potential. The estate was founded by Etienne Le Riche in 1996 and remains a family affair.
These wines are elegant and classy with fine grained tannins and subtle oak integration, and while not aiming to be Bordeaux replicas, they do have much in common with the balance and poise sometimes found in top Margaux. With most of their wines sold domestically, it’s a rare treat to find these wines on UK soils. Production is 8000×6 cases a year, with the Reserve range consisting of only 1000 cases. These wines are rare but worth sourcing.
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