Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
R1380,00
Deep garnet in colour. Forthcoming, rich aromas of fresh blackberries, cherry, cassis and hints of cedar and allspice.
Full bodied on entry, with delicate black fruits on the mid-palate complimented by appetising acidity and firm, yet polished tannins.
Remarkably balanced with integrated lead pencil shaving flavours and a long, lingering finish.
Elegance; with underlying weight promising maturation potential.
A stellar investment for any Cabernet enthusiast!
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Specifications
In the cellar
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.
Ageing
72% New French Oak, 24 months
Cultivar
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
About the Wine Estate
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.
