Glenelly Estate Reserve Red 2018
R385,00
Glenelly Estate Reserve is the signature red blend of the Estate and is based on the classic Claret blend from the 1700s. Rich cassis and mulberry with cedar and tobacco reveal Cabernet as the backbone to this blend. On the mid palate red and black cherry accompanied by a hint of black pepper spice highlights the Syrah’s contribution. Intense fruit flavours are layered with mocha, Christmas cake, sandalwood and leather, bringing complexity to the wine, balanced by fresh, fruity acidity, the wine’s firm tannins lead to a clean, dry finish, promising excellent ageing potential.
Reviews
More Information
Specifications
In the cellar
The grapes were hand sorted and lightly crushed into stainless steel fermentation
tanks.
• They were given a cold soak for three days before allowing the natural fermentation
to start. Three pump overs a day were done on the tanks during fermentation, after
which they underwent extended skin contact for 2-3 weeks.
• The wine was placed in French oak barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation.
Matured for 18 months in French oak and racked on average every four months.
In the vineyard
Winter was late, but cold enough to allow dormancy of our vines.
• Low rainfall brought low soil moisture levels which led to managing stress in the
vines later in the season via drip irrigation.
• Luckily spring sprung with good, even bud burst.
• Warm weather for the season with little to no rain. This led to smaller berries
appearing and lower bunch mass. Although there were more bunches on the vines
to make up the yield.
• The harvest was earlier than usual and larger than in previous years.
Ageing
18 months
Cultivar
64% Cabernet Sauvignon; 12% Merlot; 12% Syrah; 7% Petit Verdot; 5% Cabernet Franc
Awards and Recognition
Platter’s 2025 5 starts
Decanter World Wine Awards 94/100
Tim Atkin 93/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 2024 91/100
