Decanter: 98 Punkte
"Le Riche was founded by Cabernet legend Etienne le Riche in 1996. His son Christo now heads the winemaking team. Aiming to express the best of Stellenbosch, from the get-go they've worked with trusted growers. The 2017 Reserve is sourced from Firgrove (32% from two sites) and single vineyards in Raithby (25%), Simonsberg (26%) and Jonkershoek (17%). Batches are kept separate and blended after a year in barrel, oakmatured (70% new) for another year, then bottled unfined. Malu Lambert: Fragrant and fresh: flowers, cherries and cedar smoke. Layered palate, bright cherries and plums. Good fruit on the long finish. Andy Howard MW: Deep, profound nose. Dark, brooding, but still fresh. Plush, ripe palate. Powerful and weighty yet with lift and balance. Roger Jones: Berries, violets and damsons. Precision and purity. Cocoa spice, fresh-rolled cigar, aged furniture and saddles. Still young, a wine to hide away."
- Malu Lambert, Andy Howard MW, Roger Jones (04/2024)