Wine Of The Week 10: Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Focus on one thing and do it to the best of your ability. This simple mantra underscores the Le Riche family’s commitment to producing the exemplar of Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon. The historic region is dubbed the Kingdom of Cabernet for good reason; its mountainous, maritime climate being eminently suited to the grape.

Among the world’s best

Now in their 27th vintage, Le Riche Wines is no stranger to accolades. Some though are greater than others… recently at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London (the world’s largest and most influential wine competition), the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 was awarded the prestigious ‘Best in Show’, with the wine scoring 97 points. This makes it one of the 50 best wines in the world. A phenomenal achievement not only for the winery, but for South African wine at large.

Winemaker Christo Le Riche in his characteristic, humble way, commented: “The award highlights our unwavering commitment to producing the finest expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Putting down roots

Long has the Le Riche family paved the way for fine Cape cabernet, patriarch Etienne le Riche being instrumental in its story. During his two decades at Rustenberg Wine Estate the first Cape cabernet was certified (1971), and saw Rustenberg anointed as a Cape ‘First Growth’.

In 1996 Etienne left Rustenberg to start Le Riche Wines at a farm in Jonkershoek. The first official vintage was released in 1997. Since then the family have stuck to their approach of sourcing grapes from various growers, the majority of which they have long-standing relationships with, some going back decades.

In 2010 they secured a property in the Helderberg, officially moving winery operations in 2013. Very much a family affair, Etienne’s son Christo is director and cellarmaster, daughter Yvonne commands exports and logistics, while nephew Francois is the commercial manager.

Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Grapes came from premium Stellenbosch sites, each component picked to build complexity in the wine. The cellar features open-top concrete fermenters, which allows the vineyard parcels to be micro-vinified separately up until final blending. The wine spent 24 months in oak, 76% new. It was then bottled unfined and unfiltered, and matured in bottle for one-year prior release. The wine is massively expressive, with notes of scented dark fruit, violets and cassis flowers, grounded in classic cedar and graphite notes. The fruit on the palate is fleshy and compact, lifted with a juicy acid line and fruit-coated tannins. Powerful and modern.

Pair with a cold winter’s night and a flamed-grilled steak. The wine is released on 3 July 2023.

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