Sunday, June 11, 2023

Le Riche pre-release wine tasting at Wine Cellar

We were given a very difficult choice this week. Go to the Wine Cellar on Monday
to attend a pre-release tasting of Le Riche wines
OR go to the farm later in the week for a walk around tasting
John wanted to do both but, seeing reason, we finally plumped for Monday
and so enjoyed the tasting with Cellarmaster Christo Le Riche

The spacious tasting venue holds regular tastings of good wines
Get on their mailing list to find our which you can attend
or check out their website https://www.winecellar.co.za/events

The range of wines we were to experience

The tasting sheet. Great news for Le Riche,
the 2020 Le Riche Reserve Cabernet from the Helderberg vineyards in Stellenbosch
(and IONA Chardonnay 2021 from the Elgin Highlands)
were the panels' favourite South African wines at the 2023 Decanter Awards in London

Le Riche only make one white wine, a Chardonnay
The grapes come from the Firgrove and Polkadraai areas of Stellenbosch
It is only available ex Cellar door at R295
It is perfumed with quince and apple and a hint of oak On the palate, toffee apple and good crispness with long flavours
and ending with a little Seville orange wood, very enjoyable

Christo Le Riche took over from his father Etienne, who had a long, stellar career making superb wines at Rustenburg
By 1982 Etienne had created some of the most sought-after wines in the country
and he was a founding member of the Cape Winemakers Guild
It was, however, his dream to own his own winery, which led him to establish his own cellar in Jonkershoek,
where he made his first Le Riche vintage in 1996
When the owners wanted to re-develop the property, this became unavailable to him
and he moved to their own property in the Helderberg, where they built new open-topped fermenters which replicated the exact dimensions of the Jonkershoek tanks. By 2010, Etienne had been joined by his children, Yvonne (CWM) and Christo
Their mission statement says:
"Our vision is to craft the ultimate expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stellenbosch Winelands of South Africa
Founded and managed by the Le Riche Family, we exclusively select and source only the highest-quality fruit,
from unique vineyards, grown by long-term, established farmers"

Their focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends from Stellenbosch
They also have a new focus on producing a Heritage Blend of Cabernet and Cinsault

The temperature map of the entire Stellenbosch area
Christo says that they prefer to buy grapes from North West to South Westerly aspects
When they make Cabernets, nothing is ever blended with it; 100% Stellenbosch Cabernet in the bottle is what they aim for
They work closely with the growers and have been buying many of their supplier farmers' grapes for several years
and have established good relationships with them

The 2021 Richesse is a blend of 56% Cabernet, 14% Cinsault, 14% Cabernet Franc, 8% each Merlot and Petit Verdot
Incense wood, then mulberry, cherry and cassis with a hint of violets on the nose
On the Palate, chalky tannins, crisp fruit, cranberry, cherry and a finish of wood
It's gentle on the palate and shows aging potential
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the classic Cabernet nose, rich cassis and black cherry, with gentle wood on the end
Juicy fruit comes in waves as does the grippy, chalky tannin
Lasting flavours of cherry, mainly with a velvety end. Built to last

The 2016 Cabernet has elegance and complexity on the nose, lovely cassis and black cherry fruit. A hint of smoky wood
On the palate lots of chalky tannins, the fruit is shy at first, then morello cherry and cassis open with lasting flavours
30 cases will be released in July
The 2020 Reserve Cabernet has incense wood, rich dark berry fruit on the nose, so well blended and wooded
Silky on the palate, then tannins grip and then wonderful layers of juicy dark fruit captivate
and you know this will go on to last and get even better with age. Exceptional

The 2015 Reserve Cabernet comes from what has been recognized as an outstanding vintage
Age does show on the nose, which is a little shy, with cassis and green cassis leaves and wood just supporting
Dark red and black berry fruit, well blended, some warmth, some sweetness, and wood
Softer tannins, lighter in texture and becoming mulberry and pomegranate. Cristo says it's in the early days in its life
The 2012 Reserve Cabernet has such richness on the nose, it asks you to dive in
Incense wood and elegant perfumed fruit on the nose.  Integrated fruit mulberry, cranberry and cassis
with soft tannins supporting and wood holding it together nicely. Very pleasing 

The 2007 Cabernet produced for the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction was special
Incense wood, salty minerality and dark berries on the powerful nose
Cassis predominates with some cassis green leaves. From a single vineyard. Soft chalk and berries fight for dominance,
a glorious battle for attention on the palate then the fruit wins and comes in waves and layers, so satisfying
Some bruléed dark plum and prune fruit from the wood. It has lasted so well and will continue

It was a great tasting and we felt very privileged to taste the older wines with those just about to be released

Sniffing, tasting, comparing, making notes, the wine world at work

A great surprise at the end was a delivery of some canapés from Jardine Restaurant in Stellenbosch; they were delicious
In cones of bark, on a potato crisp, a finely cut meat tartare with some of the meat cooked, a treat and very moreish

We had no descriptions, so we guessed at the food
On the left, what Lynne thought Financiers made with almond sponge
topped with a tiny pearl onion cup containing caramel sauce which soaked the cake below with more dark salty caramel
On the left small crisp rice crackers with rich, flavourful duck mousse and topped with an onion jam
All were perfection and ended the impressive tasting on just the right note. Thank you, Le Riche family

Just one? No....

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