Glenelly 2003 & 2004

This 57ha vineyard in Stellenbosch, Simonsberg ward is owned by Madame May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, former owner of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

This shows the potential of South Africa as a great winemaking nation to be, when investor of that calibre, buys in.

The 2 vintage below are big, juicy, ripe and massively built to last at least 12 years from vintage, the wines are made by Luke O’Cuinneagain, the wines are certified as Wine of Origin Western Cape, because the grapes use are both from Stellenbosch and Cape Agulhas.

2003 Glenelly 87 Points
Deep, concentrated / opaque ruby red with slight purple rim.

Ripe, complex intensity of blackcurrants, tar, smoke, powerful and multidimensional.

Massive structure, tight ripe tannins, savoury opulence, acidity still integrating, spicy with touch bitterness on warming aftertaste, need +/- 3 years to integrate (2012), thereafter will drink until 2017

44% Cabernet Sauvignon – 28% Merlot – 24% Shiraz – 4% Pinotage

2004 Glenelly 87+ Points
Dark red cherry red, with good brilliance.

Initially austere, but with aeration reveal notes of dark red fruit and dark chocolate, earthy complexity, along with softer more massaged ripe tannins than 2003.

Elegant, delicate mouth feels, with notes of ripe cherries, but need time to reveal it’s true potential, this time the acidity is better managed as well as the alcohol. From 2011 until 2017.

57% Shiraz – 33% Cabernet Sauvignon – 10% Merlot