Wine of the Week 10: Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Focus on one thing and do it to the best of your ability. That’s what the Le Riche family believes and practices when it comes to producing the finest Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon. Stellenbosch is renowned as the Kingdom of Cabernet, and for good reason. Its unique combination of mountainous terrain and cool ocean breezes creates the perfect climate for growing this exceptional grape.

Ranked among the world’s finest

In its 27th year of production, Le Riche Wines has become well-known for its exceptional quality. And recently, at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, they received a truly extraordinary honor. Out of all the wines in the competition, the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 was named the very best, earning the title of ‘Best in Show’.

This incredible wine was awarded an impressive 97 points, placing it among the top 50 wines in the entire world. This achievement is not only significant for the winery itself, but also for the entire South African wine industry.

Winemaker Christo Le Riche responded to this remarkable success with his characteristic humility, saying, “This award reaffirms our unwavering dedication to creating the highest quality Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Planting Deep Roots

For many years, the Le Riche family has been at the forefront of creating exceptional Cape cabernet, with patriarch Etienne le Riche playing a pivotal role in its journey. During his twenty-year tenure at Rustenberg Wine Estate, the first official Cape cabernet was certified in 1971, establishing Rustenberg as a distinguished Cape ‘First Growth’.

In 1996, Etienne bid farewell to Rustenberg and embarked on the founding of Le Riche Wines on a farm in Jonkershoek. The inaugural vintage was introduced to the world in 1997. Ever since then, the family has adhered to their unique approach of procuring grapes from different growers, many of whom they have cultivated longstanding relationships with, some spanning several decades.

In 2010, they acquired a property in the Helderberg, officially relocating their winery operations in 2013. As a true family endeavor, Etienne’s son Christo serves as the director and cellarmaster, his daughter Yvonne oversees exports and logistics, while his nephew Francois takes care of commercial management.

Introducing the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

I want to tell you about a special wine called the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. It’s made from grapes that come from really great places in Stellenbosch. What makes this wine unique is that each part of it is made separately and then blended together. The winemakers use special fermenters made of concrete to make this happen. They let each part of the wine develop its own flavors and characteristics before bringing it all together.

This wine is not rushed. It actually spends 24 months in oak barrels, with most of the barrels being new. This helps the wine develop a deep and rich flavor. After that, it’s left to age in the bottle for a whole year before it’s ready to be enjoyed.

Now, let me describe the taste of this wine to you. When you take a sip, you’ll notice the intense flavors of dark fruit, like berries. You might also pick up on the fragrance of violets and cassis flowers. These flavors are balanced with the classic tastes of cedar and graphite, which add a nice depth to the wine. When the wine touches your tongue, you’ll find that it’s full-bodied and smooth, with a refreshing acidity and soft tannins. It’s a powerful and modern wine that will leave a lasting impression.

When it comes to food pairings, I recommend enjoying this wine on a cold winter’s night. Picture yourself sitting by the fireplace with a juicy, flame-grilled steak. The richness and boldness of the wine will complement the hearty flavors of the steak perfectly. It’s a match made in heaven!

You might be wondering when you can get your hands on a bottle of this incredible wine. Well, mark your calendar for July 3, 2023, because that’s when it will be released and ready for you to enjoy. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!