WeeklySA_AdminIMPECCABLE: The estate’s pedigree as a consistent maker of highly acclaimed Carbs is renown…
By Len Maseko
It was recently honoured as one of the ‘Best 50 Wines in the World’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London, and is now available for the concurrence of South Africa’s Cabernet lovers – the Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 vintage.
Le Riche Wines, Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon specialists for 27 years, released the 2020 vintage on July 3, to satisfy wine consumers’ curiosity sparked by its rousing success on the world stage. The 2020 Reserve cemented its status as a world-class Cabernet with a splendid ‘Best in Class’ (97 points) accolade at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards, the ultimate accolade attributed to the ‘50 Best Wines’ at this distinguished global benchmarking competition.
The vintage is testimony to the masterful art of blending special Stellenbosch terroirs commandeered by cellarmaster Chisto Le Riche (pictured above) and his team, of course, under the beady eye of the estate’s patriarch Etienne Le Riche. In fact, the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 has been lauded as ‘a statuesque expression of the very best Le Riche can make’.
In his description of the wine, Le Riche junior waxes lyrical: A wine in classic Cabernet style, the vibrant nose displays blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and cedar notes, which are mirrored on the palate. The wine is brooding and dense yet sophisticated and elegant. The palate is rich, velvety and opulent yet remarkably fresh and linear showcasing black fruit, a creamy mouthfeel and dark chocolate finish. The structure is powerfully firm with round, structured tannins.
In fact, Le Riche Wines is no stranger to accolades, with more than 23 vintages having blazed a glorious trail of their own in the past two decades.
Le Riche’s passion for Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon drives the family’s search to better understand its region.
He is also a founder and current chairman of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective, an organisation promoting the merits of the region’s Cabernets on a local and global stage.
PIZZERIA
CHALLENGE
BACK!
WINE AND PIZZERIA CHALLENGE BACK!
RUSTIC: The 2023 results of annual The Trophy Spirits Show, sponsored by Investec, were announced in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. As in previous years, spirits vying for the awards came in from producers in places as far afield as the USA, England, Scandinavia, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, the sun-washed islands of the Caribbean, the highlands of Scotland, the deserts of Mexico, the villages of Cognac and so on. Included among these exotics were at least 50 different brandies, liqueurs, whiskies and gins from the Cape and Gauteng.
Events
TREAT FOR PINO FANS
Pino fans will be in paradise tasting some of the best of the wines made from the varietal at the Pinotage and Biltong Festival 2023, which will be held at the Allée Bleue Estate in Franschhoek on July 29 and 30.
The event is about showcasing 2 of SA’s best loved treats true to the South African heritage – Pinotage and Biltong – speaks to the hearts and palates of many a local food and wine lover. There will be plenty of Pinotage in a range of fizz, white, red, rosé, dry and sweet styles, each paired with a different biltong flavour from Namaqualand Biltong. Apart from the many delicious biltong flavours to be paired with all the Pinotage styles, food will be available for sale. Guy Feldman will serenade guests with groovy covers.
The event, which starts at 11am, will take place in the estate’s Le Grand Hall. Regular tickets available via Quicket cost R350 p/p, include wine glass and all wine and biltong pairings. VIP Tickets R550 p/p include everything, plus bubbly as a welcome drink and a light cheese platter on arrival, service staff, late afternoon coffee and a sweet treat.
PnP WINES TO DURBAN
After stints in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival goes to Durban for a day’s showcase in Umhlanga Rocks on August 19.
The venue is Chris Saunders Park, from 12,30pm. The line-up of activities includes tasting of the best local wines, delicious food and live music.
The festival celebrates South Africa’s wine country and offers food and wine lovers a chance to enjoy the best local wines accompanied by delicious food options and live music.
Visitors to the festival have the opportunity to sample wines from more than 20 top wine estates, including Durbanville Hills, Cederberg Wines, Du Toitskloof, Fat Bastard, Fryers Cove and Jacques Mouton who produces exclusive wines for Pick n Pay.
CAROLINE’S SHOWCASE
Caroline’s Red Wine Review is ready to unveil a treasure trove of the Cape’s most celebrated wines at a special tasting taking place at The Lookout, Granger Bay Boulevard, V & A Waterfront on July 27.
One of the most coveted tasting events on the South African wine calendar, the tasting is presented by Cape Town’s legendary Caroline Rillema. This world-class annual showcase gives wine enthusiasts the rare opportunity to discover and taste the Cape’s best flagship red wines. Only 90 accolade-achieving winemakers are invited to present just one wine – their best of the best – on the evening. “We are delighted to bring the Cape’s finest producers of red wines together once again, giving lovers of fine wines the incredible opportunity to taste, meet and engage with the passionate people behind these phenomenal labels,” says Rillema. Tickets cost R450 a person via Quicket.
CWG TASTINGS
The countdown to the annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction has started, with ticket sales for pre-auction events now available for purchase.
The CWG will be hosting two showcases – in Cape Town and Johannesburg – in August. At these tasting events, wine lovers will sample the 2023 auction wines while interacting with the winemakers. Also available for tasting will be past auction wines and flagship wines from guild Members. The showcase will feature a silent auction of past CWG and flagship wines to raise funds for the Guild’s Protégé Programme.
Tickets cost from R500 on Quicket for the August 24 Cape Town showcase; and the August 30 Johannesburg chapter.
STELLENBOSCH’S GRAND WEEKEND
Stellenbosch Wine Festival 2023, one of the South Africa’s foremost calendar wine events, returns on August 4 and 5. Stellenbosch is home of to more than 200 wine and grape producers – hence its one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Cape winelands. The event, billed as a celebration of wine in and around the town, will be held at the Stellenbosch Town Hall, from 5pm until 9pm. Tickets cost R350 to R400 for a walk around tasting including food and 18 tasting vouchers. Available on Plankton.
PINOT NOIR ESCAPADE
Pinot Noir Experience, to be hosted by Pinot Noir Association, takes place at Haute Cabriere Restaurant in Franschhoek on August 18. Guests will be taken through a journey in celebration of the International Pinot Noir Day. They will taste the finest Pinot Noir from top South African producers, presented by the winemakers.
Tickets cost R350 a per person, and include tasting of 15 different producers’ Pinot Noir and Canapes.
The following wineries will be participating: Ataraxia, Bouchard Finlayson, Chamonix, Cirrus, Creation, Haute Cabriere, Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Iona, La Vierge, Lothian, Meerlust, Oak Valley, Paul Cluver, Paul Wallace, Richard Kershaw.
