2020 Le Riche Reserve Cab looks set to be rated best vintage yet
DESCRIBED AT the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards in the UK as “graceful and accomplished”, the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 was the most highly rated red from South Africa and, from over 18 000 entries internationally, one of 50 wines celebrated as ‘Best in Show’. What the panel of judges experienced was: “Dark, black-red in the glass, with serenely curranty scents teased to perfect ripeness and lent dimension by oak without any overt woody stamp obtruding on that fruited charm… A finish that leaves the mouth clean and fresh yet hoping for more. Spot on.”
The Le Riche flagship has a distinguished track record, especially over the past 10 years. Prior to the score of 97 for the 2020 judged pre-release at the biggest wine show on earth, the previous three vintages – 2017 to 2019 – earned 5 Stars in Platter’s SA Wine Guide, the 2018 (still available from the cellar in magnums at the time of writing) shining particularly brightly with a rating of 96 in Decanter and a trophy at the Global Fine Wine Challenge in Australia.
LE RICHE RES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020
WO Stellenbosch: Helderberg Coastal (65%), Simonsberg (22%) and Helderberg Mountain (13%) with a variety of soil types. Cool, dry vintage, with grapes hand-selected from older, lower-yielding vines. Fermentation using selected yeast under controlled temperatures. Manual plunging. Fermenters left open for seven days then closed for 10 to 14 days before the pressing and transfer of the wine to barrel for natural secondary fermentation. 12 months in barrel before blending and a further 12 months in barrel thereafter – 76% new French oak. Unfined, unfiltered and bottle-matured for another year before release. 12 500 bottles.
Alc 14.9 | RS 1.6 | TA 5.7 | pH 3.8
Producers’ Tasting Notes: Classic Cabernet aromas of blackcurrants, black cherry and cassis. Dense, showing great freshness on the nose. Lead pencil shavings and cedar aromas. On entry, the palate is rich, velvety and opulent, yet remarkably fresh… Showcasing black fruit, a creamy mouthfeel and dark chocolate on wonderfully long, complex finish. Drinks amazingly smooth for a young wine. Great ageing potential.
Food Pairing Suggestions: A great steak, especially fillet or rump, on the coals or grilled.
R950pb ex-cellar.
Etienne Le Riche made the best [SA] Cabernet Sauvignon already in the 80s. The Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 was an iconic wine. It is great to see that Christo (the son) is following in the footsteps of his father. Congratulations.