Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve '18

Le Riche was founded in 1996 by Etienne le Riche, one of the founding members of the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG). Situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, it is now run by Etienne’s son, Christo, and daughter, Yvonne. The grapes are selected from top growers in Stellenbosch, coming from mainly two soil types—decomposed granite soils and sandy gravel.

The wines from Le Riche are consistently excellent, and this wine is big and bold, with two years of aging in about 75% new barrels. Tim Atkin, MW, describes it beautifully: “This dense, serious, supremely ageworthy Cabernet combines grapes from Firgrove, the Jonkersheok Valley, Raithby and the Simonsberg to create a bold, concentrated red with sinewy tannins, dark plum, mint and blackcurrant leaf flavours, tangy acidity and a sheen of chocolatey oak. Drink 2024–35.”