Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Reserve status is only endowed if the grapes and resulting wine measures up to exceptional standard. Hand selected grapes from older, lower yielding vines are used. Fermentation is done with a selected yeast strain under controlled temperatures. Manual plunging during this period ensures optimal colour extraction. After seven days the tanks are closed and allowed to macerate for a further period, normally 16-24 days. Pressing follows and the wine is transferred to barrel for natural secondary fermentation. After a year in barrel, the individual batches are blended to form the final wine and returned to barrel for another year. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Matured in bottle for one year before release.

72% New French Oak, 24 months

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Greg Sherwood MW – 96+/100

The earliest historical traces of the Le Riche family surname in South Africa date back to 1698, when Lodewyk le Riche and his family left Thimarais in Normandy to journey to South Africa in search of a new life. By the 1900s, their link to nature was firmly established, with some of the earlier le Riche family members being instrumental in establishing what would eventually become known as the Kgalagadi National Park. It was not until the late 1970s that the Le Riche dedication to winemaking would become synonymous with the surname. Le Riche founder, Etienne le Riche, started his career in the mid-70's and was soon recognized as one of South Africa's best Cabernet Sauvignon producers. By 1982 he had created some of the most sought-after wines in the country and jointly founded the Cape Winemakers Guild. It was however his dream to own his own winery that led him to establish Le Riche in 1996. The bespoke winery was initially operated from Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, in an old cellar that needed considerable renovation. With great attention to detail, Etienne carefully updated the space, and production started. During this time, he also established the business model for Le Riche, which continues to be sourcing the highest quality fruit from a close network of trusted grape growers. This gave him the freedom to focus on the winemaking side of the process, a decision Etienne made with intent.