The Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 has earned the prestigious distinction of ‘Best in Show’ (97 points) at the esteemed Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in London – the pinnacle accolade granted to the top 50 wines in the competition. This achievement reinforces Le Riche’s standing as a producer of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon on the global stage.
Celebrating its 20th year, the DWWA is the world’s most influential and expansive wine competition, boasting a record-breaking evaluation of 18,250 wines from 57 countries this year. Evaluated by a panel of 236 esteemed wine experts hailing from various corners of the world, the DWWA is internationally esteemed for its rigorous judging process and renowned judging panel.
“This extraordinary recognition of our upcoming Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 release (available from July 3rd) in this prestigious global competition underscores our unwavering dedication to crafting the finest representation of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon,” says a rightfully proud Christo Le Riche.
For 27 years, since the inaugural 1997 vintage, Le Riche has been synonymous with Cabernet excellence, consistently producing remarkable and noteworthy Cabernet Sauvignons in the Cape.
Le Riche’s winemaking philosophy has always been centered around focusing on one thing and executing it with utmost excellence. From its inception, the winery has steadfastly pursued the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as the ‘King of Grapes’. Nestled within Stellenbosch, a region acclaimed for its Cabernet, this commitment is fitting as Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone upon which the renowned wine region is built. The splendid geographical attributes of Stellenbosch, including diverse elevations, aspects, ancient soils, and a Mediterranean climate with maritime influences, lie at the heart of the superior quality of its Cabernet.
Throughout the vintages, the Le Riche family, initially led by Etienne and later joined by his children Christo and Yvonne, have made it their mission to produce the quintessential Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, garnering widespread acclaim. Drawing on decades of experience and expertise, they meticulously choose and source only the finest fruit from Stellenbosch’s premier terroirs. They collaborate with a network of trusted, established wine farmers who possess distinctive vineyards situated in Stellenbosch’s Jonkershoek and Simonsberg wards, as well as on the upper and lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. Each ward and region contributes distinct terroir attributes, adding intricate layers to the wine’s profile.
Staying true to their ethos of quality, elegance, and consistency, their winemaking style centers around creating the finest Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignons with minimal intervention, allowing the exceptional terroir to speak eloquently. The resultant wines exude elegance and sophistication, consistently proving their exceptional quality and capacity for maturation.
LE RICHE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON – A STELLAR WINE WITH AN ENVIABLE PEDIGREE
The coveted Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the flagship offering, represents the epitome of the range. Meticulous vineyard selection and sourcing of grapes from Le Riche’s top-performing vineyard blocks within Stellenbosch mirror the meticulous care extended in the winery. This wine stands as an embodiment of opulence and generosity, exuding bold elegance. Layers of complexity interplay with powerful yet refined tannins, anchored by classic cassis fruit, seamless oak integration, refreshing vibrancy, and exceptional aging potential. Le Riche spares no effort or cost to ensure a wine of remarkable quality and consistency. Reserve status is granted only when grapes and resulting wine achieve an exceptional standard.
Over 23 vintages, the revered Le Riche Reserve Cabernet has earned resounding reviews, high scores, and ongoing international recognition. Amid numerous local and global accolades, including 95+ scores from distinguished wine authorities such as Tim Atkin MW, Greg Sherwood MW, and South African wine critic Christian Eedes, this wine has secured Platter’s coveted five-star rating ten times, including the maiden 1997 vintage, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007 Le Riche CWG Auction Reserve, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 (current vintage). Additionally, the Platter’s 2010 Guide crowned the 2005 Reserve Cabernet their Red Wine of the Year, while both the 2015 and 2019 vintages were bestowed the title of ‘Cabernet of the Year’ in the Platter’s 2019 and 2023 wine guides respectively.
Le Riche’s legacy of Cabernet excellence was reaffirmed when the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 secured the Trophy for Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2021 Global Fine Wine Challenge for New World Wine Countries. Notably, the runner-up award was also claimed by Le Riche for their Reserve 2017, marking a historic achievement as the first producer to earn both accolades in the same year.
In continuation of Le Riche’s tradition of Cabernet eminence, the Reserve 2020 vintage received a magnificent ‘Best in Class’ recognition at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards, solidifying its standing as a globally distinguished Cabernet and one of the top 50 wines in the world.
LE RICHE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020
Introducing the eagerly awaited new vintage, the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is set to be released on July 3rd – another exceptional flagship Cabernet that showcases the art of blending unique Stellenbosch terroirs.
Vineyards and Winemaking: The Cabernet grapes are meticulously chosen from high-performing vineyard parcels situated in Stellenbosch’s Helderberg Coastal, Simonsberg, and Helderberg Mountain wards. These vineyard blocks are meticulously vinified separately until the final blending stage. Fermentation takes place in open-top concrete fermenters, with careful plunging to maximize color extraction. Extended maceration enhances the wine’s age-worthiness, while premium French oak (76% new French oak for 24 months) upholds the wine’s pedigree. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine matures in the bottle for one year before release.
Tasting Notes: True to classic Cabernet style, the aromatic bouquet exudes blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry, and cedar notes that gracefully transition to the palate. The wine is both intense and intricate, striking a balance between boldness and elegance. A rich, velvety texture complements the palate’s vibrancy, showcasing black fruit, a creamy mouthfeel, and a dark chocolate finish. Its firm structure is characterized by round, structured tannins. This wine boasts an enduring, complex finish, offering remarkable potential for aging – a true investment. This vintage stands among Le Riche’s finest offerings yet.
Food Pairing: The Le Riche family holds a predilection for enjoying their flagship Cabernet with a hearty steak, especially cuts like fillet or rump, grilled to perfection over coals or on the grill.
Awards: ‘Best in Class’ at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards
Purchase: The Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 will be available for purchase, in the first week of July, at the Le Riche Cellar, at specialist wine stores nationally and online at www.leriche.co.za for R950 per bottle.
