Critics Ratings

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2010
'Syrah/shiraz & cab, supported by merlot, petit verdot. 2010 reflects sturdiness of vintage but also refinement associated with property. Look for syrah’s resonating dark spice & savouriness, cab’s ageworthy structure.' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2011
'A grand blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Petit Verdot. Youthful 2011 is nicely fragrant, a dark spiciness mingling with red and black fruit. Serious, with a hint of austerity. More intense than the varietal wines.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

‘Features alluring fresh espresso and smoldering juniper notes out front, followed by a rich, polished core of cassis and blackberry fruit, with a serious spine of licorice root and a long tarry edge to the finish. This still has ample grip, but there's enough development here to begin drinking now. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot.’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Feb 2017)

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2012'
Cabernet Sauvignon up to 45% in supple 2012, Shiraz (38%) falling back further, but important for early sweet, fruity charm (spicier with age). Already shows complexity and is both elegant and generous - light-feeling despite ripeness (13.5% alcohol). Great dry finish. Needs time.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)

‘Formerly labelled as Grand Vin, this is the second tier red from Glenelly, made with a Bordeaux-meets-the-Rhône combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Elegant, refined and focused, with graphite and cedarwood notes and a core of succulent black fruits. 2018-28.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2017, 94/100

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2013
'Created as a South African version of what Luke O’Cuinneagain calls “an old school claret” this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend of four Bordeaux varieties with 15% Syrah. It’s a nicely mature, herbal red with sweet spices and a hint of graphite. 2018-23.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 93/100

'It has a better bouquet than the 2012, featuring lively black fruit, bilberry, touches of brine and cedar, and then mint developing with time. The palate is medium bodied with fine grain tannin, and quite fresh in the mouth, the brine, estuarine influence returning to lend complexity to the classically styled finish. Excellent.' – Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2018)

'Pressed violet and blackberry bramble notes lead the way on the nose of this pretty red, with supporting tones of carnation, spent coffee grinds and blackberry paste. The mouthfeel is smooth and slightly warm, with a crème de cassis sensation that carries through to the medium-length close alongside moderately firm tannins and a kiss of warmth.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 90/100 (Sep 2020)

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2014
The Estate Reserve comes mostly from the cooler, east-facing slope at Glenelly and is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon with 50% Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Fine, elegant and nuanced with cassis, red berry and graphite notes and granular tannins.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 93/100

Cab-led (40%) 5-way fusion of Bordeaux varieties with shiraz. 2014 reprises ripeness & power (14.5% alcohol) of 2013 (4.5 stars, 94 pts), yet great detailing & precision; generous blueberry, dark plum & blackcurrant, with toasty spice (30% new oak) & savouriness on smooth, polished finish.'- Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (95/100)

Glenelly Estate Reserve 2015
'Sweet and gentle. A mineral/iron-filings undertow. Tougher than Pichon Lalande but should be fine with food. Good price for such a mature wine.' - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (May 2023)

'Were it not for the presence of 15% Syrah in the mix, this would be a four-way Bordeaux blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 10% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Structured, stylish, intense, with plenty of vibrancy and ageing potential, layers of plum, mulberry and blackcurrant leaf flavours, some fresh herbs and fine, granular tannins.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 94/100

'Exquisite blend 4 Bordeaux varieties, mostly cab & merlot (35/30) plus usual telling syrah (15%) giving leather, dark spice & black pepper notes to deeply satisfying 2015. Dark berries & crushed herbs, cigarbox perfume from French oak. Like 2014 (5 stars, 95 pts), savoury, ageworthy.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5* (94/100)

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