Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon shows a very complex nose with notes of cassis, blackcurrant, cherry, a touch of spice and dark chocolate. The wine has a good tannic structure, perfect balance and length, with delicious black forest gateaux flavours on the palate.
- Country: South Africa
- Region: Coastal Region
- Subregion: Stellenbosch
- Vintage: 2017
- Colour: Red
- Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
- ABV: 14%
- Bottle Size: 75cl
- Closure: Screwcap
- Style: Firm and dark
- Drink With: Pot roasted brisket
"Fine wine and fine glass share many mysterious attributes, both are extracted from poor soil by the skill of man." May de Lencquesaing, owner of Glenelly Estate
Having been a collector of antique wine glasses for many years, the Glenelly Glass Collection range is where Madame de Lencquesaing's two great passions meet.
As with the Syrah, the Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in stainless steel vats and is matured in old French oak for 12 months to soften it.
About the grower
On the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, in the Ida's Valley of Stellenbosch, lies the Glenelly Estate. In 1682, Cape Governor Simon Van Der Stel ceded the land on which the Glenelly Estate now stands to a French Huguenot, François Villion. In 1812, the estate passed to Johan Peter de Villiers, and finally in 1911 it became the property of a British family, the Garlicks. They owned it for 92 years until, in 2003, Glenelly was bought by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing. For over 30 years, Madame de Lencquesaing had been the owner of the classed growth Bordeaux Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. Her belief in the quality of the Cape’s terroir, her wish to play a role in the economic development of the newly democratic country and her desire to continue the three century heritage of French winemaking in South Africa all played a part in her decision to embark upon a new adventure.
The 123 hectare Glenelly Estate was formerly devoted to fruit production, but after an intensive study of the soil structure and weather patterns by Madame de Lencquesaing, 54.5 hectares were planted with red grape varieties and 5.5 hectares were given to white varieties. A small remainder was planted with olive trees and the rest remained as forest. There are 5 main red grape varieties grown at Glenelly: Cabernet Sauvignon for its structure; Syrah for the fineness of red fruit aromas and flavours; Petit Verdot to bring complex notes of liquorice and violets to a blend; Merlot giving freshness and fruity notes; and finally Cabernet Franc to pair with the Merlot, giving an almost Pomerol-style character to certain wines.
A new, gravity fed winery was completed in 2009, and everything is done in as natural and as environmentally friendly a manner as possible - even the concrete used for its construction was coloured in ochre tones to match the surrounding soils!