Le Riche Richesse 2021

I have tasted the entire Le Riche portfolio several times at several occasions and every time I am pleasantly surprised by how well the Richesse (which is technically the bottom of the range) overdelivers! A beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Merlot and Petit Verdot makes up this wine that started off with 12 months in 225-litre French oak barrels and a further 8 months, after blending, in mixed-size oak barrels.

In the glass, this wine has a deep garnet colour with notes of plums, black and red fruit and sweet oak spice on the nose. The tannins are so elegant that they are almost imperceptible with a great fruit development of plums, blackcurrant, raspberry, mulberries, and red cherries. The sweet oak, dried herbs (especially mint) and hints of graphite follow the development of the fruit on the palate. It has a long and fresh finish.

This wine is ready to drink now or within the next ten years. It does not need to be decanted yet. It can be enjoyed on its own or with food such as a ribeye steak with roasted potatoes or roasted lamb with vegetables. It will go well into a dark chocolate pudding as well. This wine overdelivers for its price and should certainly be tried out by any wine lover!

Producer: Le Riche

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon 57%, Cabernet Franc 13%, Cinsault 13%, Merlot 8%, Petit Verdot 9%

Vintage: 2021

Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Christo le Riche

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 14.09%

RS: 2.0g/l

Average price: R250

Rating: 96/100