Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

‘The Dry Red is something of a tribute to the Cape blends of the mid-20th century, with Cabernet Sauvignon partnered by 21% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cinsault. Floral aromas lead into a palate that's firm and grippy, with dark berry fruit, some underlying freshness and toasty 30% new wood. 2021-27’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 94/100

'My experience of tasting this wine has sometimes been somewhat of a challenge because in its early years, the individual components often seemed to intermittently compete with one another for aromatic and flavour dominance. The extra years ageing in bottle has been a game-changer. The wine is now so incredibly lifted and perfumed with a real melange of red currant, wild strawberry, pressed violets and vanilla pod spice bursting out the glass. There is such magnificent purity, precision and a real synergy that shines through the wine. The palate is incredibly dense, textured and luxuriously opulent, packed full of fleshy red cherry and cranberry pastille fruits, Turkish delight and red currant jelly. Perhaps it’s the vintage or perhaps it’s just the extra bottle age but this wine seems so much more complete with less obvious sapidity and spice and much more harmonious fleshy layers of red fruit and creamy, savoury tannins. This is an absolute triumph of a wine and a flagship vintage Dry Red that single-handedly announces the true ‘arrival’ of the entire Leeu Passant project. Drink this phenomenal wine on release and over the next 30+ years.' – Greg Sherwood MW, 97/100 (Jun 2021)

'Matured for 12 months in 500-litre French oak barrels, 30% new before blending and being returned to 2 000-liter foudre for eight months. “A homage to SA heritage,” says Chris Mullineux, this wine inspired by the great blends of yesteryear. Alluring aromatics of red and blackberries, violets, some leafiness, and attractive oak while the palate has great clarity and energy – succulent fruit, bright acidity, and supple tannins. Very much a case of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts, the 2018 is perhaps the most refined release to date.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Jun 2021)

‘The 2018 Dry Red Wine, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cinsault, has a dense, slightly opaque nose that needs some time to open in the glass. Even 24 hours after opening, it feels quite reticent. The well-defined palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and gentle grip, and a little tight on the soy- and menthol-tinged finish. I would afford this a couple of years to open. 2023-2033’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Jul 2021)