THE STORIES
BEHIND OUR WINES
The golden thread throughout every step of the Le Riche winemaking process is meticulous attention to detail. Just as with the uncompromising vineyard selection and grape sourcing, so the team dedicate the same level of care to working with the grapes in the winery. After fermentation and the initial ageing, blending forms the final key step in determining the style and character of each wine.
The Le Riche portfolio is made up of three core wines all made using Cabernet Sauvignon, with each wine receiving equal consideration while showcasing a different facet of the grape.
WINEMAKERS HARVEST REPORT
RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
R 1050
The coveted Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship of our range, blended using only Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from our best performing vineyard blocks from Stellenbosch. These selections are then micro-vinified in open-top fermenters. Extended maceration takes place in order to increase the overall age-ability of the final wine along with aging in oak.
At the appropriate stage, Etienne, Christo and Yvonne taste and blend together as a team. The final blend matures with a generous amount of new oak barrels for up to two years, with further ageing in bottle before release. 'Reserve' status is exclusively endowed if the grapes and resulting wine measure up to an exceptional standard, resulting in a wine of limited quantities and available on an allocation basis only.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
R 390
The Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon is the true backbone of the range, crafted using only a selection of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Supple, elegant and rich with layers of fruit, this is our expression of the quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch.
The grapes are selected from various vineyard sites in the Simonsberg, Jonkershoek and Helderberg wards. The conscientiously considered blend of cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay and rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch ensures a beautiful balance of aromas and flavours. Matured for up to two years in French oak barrels and bottled unfined, the result is a Cabernet Sauvignon that brims with complex flavours thanks to the blended fruit from diverse terroir. It can be enjoyed young or will benefit beautifully from cellaring.
RICHESSE
R 230
As advocates of Stellenbosch, the Richesse is a nod to the blending heritage of the region. 'Richesse' means 'wealth' in French, and the name refers to the wealth of winemaking history the Stellenbosch region has to its name. This wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, incorporating Cinsaut and smaller amounts of Bordeaux cultivars such as Merlot. It represents a time-honoured tradition of Cabernet Sauvignon production within the Stellenbosch region, where blending with Cinsaut was prevalent pre-1980 and blending with Bordeaux varieties became popular post-1980.
In the cellar, the winemaking team vinifies each varietal separately for up to a year, before blending takes place. The goal is to allow each variety to express its optimal characteristics. Therefore, the final blend rests on the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon, and is complemented by a perfumed nose and fruit-forwardness thanks to the Cinsaut, while the other varieties add to the complexity and texture. The Richesse is a versatile wine and an excellent complement to any dish, especially South African braais.
CHARDONNAY
R 390
As the only white wine in the Le Riche portfolio, Chardonnay is often referred to as the 'Queen of the Grape Kingdom', making it the perfect match to the 'King of the Grapes', Cabernet Sauvignon. Stellenbosch terroir is ideal for producing excellent offerings of Chardonnay, making a fitting white pairing to our red wine focus.
The Le Riche Chardonnay grapes are sourced from two separate vineyards from the southern area of Stellenbosch. Here, the vines face the cooling winds from False Bay, resulting in fruit that has a delicate structure and a slight minerality. With subtle oaking in order to highlight the inherent fruit freshness and citrus zest naturally present in the wine, the Chardonnay is a blend between clay amphorae and barrel fermented fruit. Aged for 11 months in a combination of clay amphorae and French oak barrels, the final result shows a fresh acidity and fruit-forwardness while remaining dynamic in complexity.
VOGELZANG
R 850
We are excited to introduce you to our new small-batch, limited release Cabernet-Cinsaut blend, Vogelzang. Delicate, elegant and perfectly matured showcasing two varietals blended in the traditional South African context illustrating their magnificent ageing potential. A wine that bottles the untold history of the Helderberg.
TWO BOTTLE GIFT PACK
R 1000
Something old, something new
Enjoy comparing our current vintage Cabernet Sauvignon, discovering the freshness and clarity of fruit in your younger wines, with something older and also have the opportunity to experience the age ability of our wines.
This two bottle gift pack sees the Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 and 2016 vintages paired alongside each other to showcase Classic Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon at its best.
SINGLE VINEYARDS 2021
R 3150
To celebrate this great vintage, we decided to pay tribute to the Reserve buy showing its components in three special site-specific expressions. We hereby introduce the Simonsberg, Steynsrust and Bosstok Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.
The Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons will be available for purchase in a three-bottle pack. We hope you enjoy these expressions and that they will take you a Cabernet journey through Stellenbosch.
