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Glenelly Lady May 2018

R894.00

Region: Stellenbosch

Tasting note:

‘Even better than the 2017 release – and there aren’t many top Stellenbosch Bordeaux blends that you can say that about – this is a superb Lady May that makes light of the hot, dry conditions. Something of a sleeper, it’s a brooding assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged in 92% new wood. Intense, smooth and textured, with graphite and cigar box aromas, fine-grained tannins and layered flavours of damson, fennel and blackcurrant leaf. 2024-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 97/100

‘Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and the remainder Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Lady May is firm and red-fruited with a broad yet compact frame. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is generous and juicy on the palate with a robust frame. It is slightly shy in its cocoon phase and should reemerge in about five years and remain a stoic and epic South African red blend for decades to come. This is what you want in your cellar. 2028-2050’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 95+/100

‘Estate flagship, cab-led (85%) Bordeaux red with 3 others. Built for the long haul, with meticulous care taken: 2018 spent 2 years in 75% new barrels, then 3 years in bottle before release. Has depth & concentration, vivid blackcurrant fruit, graphite, fine tannins in a polished body, with deep muscle tone. Also in larger bottle formats, as is Estate Red.’ – Platter’s Guide, 5* (95/100)

‘A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot, the wine matured for a total of 24 months in French oak barrels, the first 12 months as individual components in 30% first-fill barrels and then, after blending, taken back to 70% first-fill barrels for an additional 12 months. The nose shows black cherry, cassis violets, chocolate and pencil shavings while there is very little herbal character to speak of. The palate is super-concentrated and smooth textured although not entirely without verve. A sleek and powerful wine.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

 

6 in stock.
As our stock is sold through our two retail outlets and online, stock levels are provided as a guide only and are liable to change.

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The Glenelly Estate is in the Idas Valley in Stellenbosch, on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. In 2003, at the age of 78, May-Elaine de Lencquesaing, then owner of the famous Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a Grand Cru Classé from Pauillac, Bordeaux, bought the estate which was part of the original Ida’s Valley farm granted in 1682 by Simon van der Stel. Continuing her own family tradition as well as that of the French Huguenot settlers 300 years before, she set about planting vines to replace the existing fruit trees, establishing a thriving winery that best utilizes the soils and micro-climate of the valley and supports local economic development and the community.

The 1783 stamp on the Glenelly wine labels signifies nearly 250 years of the family’s involvement in the wine industry. Their ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of ‘royal wine broker’ in 1783 and May de Lencquesaing (née Miailhe), continues the tradition in the 21st century, together with her grandchildren, Nicolas and Maxime Bureau.

Glenelly wines are made as naturally as possible with wild yeast fermentation and no acidification. The winemaking team follows a minimal intervention approach to winemaking yet intensive sorting and care is taken when receiving the grapes. Lady May is a cabernet-led Bordeaux blend and is Glenelly’s flagship estate wine.

GRAPE VARIETIES : 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot