Le Riche, David & Nadia and Restless River
Timed Online Auction, 7 - 22 April 2025
Le Riche
About the SessionLe Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a South African benchmark, produced by Christo le Riche who took over from his father Etienne, a legend of the industry.
About this Item
The highly coveted Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine, crafted exclusively from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard blocks in Stellenbosch. This limited-production wine represents the pinnacle of the range and has become a New World benchmark for the varietal. The Reserve designation is awarded only when the grapes and resulting wine meet the estate's highest standards, ensuring an exceptional expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.
'Classic Cabernet fruit aromas of blackcurrant and cassis are complemented by a hint of violet. Lead pencil shavings and cedar aromas add to the overall complexity and sophistication. On entry the palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous yet remarkably fresh showcasing dark fruit, cherry and dark chocolate. The firm, appetising acidity is balanced by round, structured and juicy tannins.' - Winemakers tasting notes.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
'Blend of fruit from different sources: Firgrove, Jonkershoek, Raithby and Simonsberg at 100 m, 150 m, 325 m and 260 m respectively of vine age 10, 22, 14 and 24 years old. Decomposed granite origin: sandy/loamy duplex gravels in Raithby and Firgrove; deep clay-rich oakleaf in Simonsberg; and rocky Hutton soils mixed with shale in Jonkershoek. Christo Le Riche said the blend gave tannin structure from Helderberg, linearity from Simonsberg, freshness from Polkadraai and Bottleray.Aged for 24 months in French barriques (76% new).Mid garnet. Intense cassis nose. Sweet start, mineral undertow with some development and a very dry finish.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Nov 2021)
'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. 2024-35.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 94/100
'Consistent, ageworthy top performer. Fruit from Firgrove, Raithby, Simonsberg & Jonkershoek for 2018. Supple & fleshy, not as coiled & intense as last. Harmonious oaking, 76% new, 2 years, supports rich black fruit & redcurrant tang.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 5* (95/100)
'Another very impressive Cabernet Sauvignon, the aromatics are pure and classy, dominated by cool dark maritime saline notes of salty crème de cassis, kelp, picante black cherry and vibrant scents of crushed blackberries, star anise, cardamom, salty black liquorice and hints of creamy vanilla oak spice. The palate is super sleek, supple and lithe with a fabulously elegant texture, silky soft mineral graphite tannins, a loose knit mid-palate fleshy black fruit generosity and tons of vibrant acid freshness on the finish. This is a classical Le Riche Reserve Cabernet at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, so approachable, expressive and absolutely delicious right now on release but undoubtedly capable of another good 15+ years of prime cellaring.' - Greg Sherwood MW, The Fine Wine Safari, 95/100 (Sep 2021)
Global Fine Wine Challenge - Trophy Winner
Decanter 1996 - Gold
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