Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (South Africa) - Wine Review

To begin my long weekend, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch in South Africa that arrived at the LCBO last month in the July 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Glenelly Estate, an estate winery with a rich heritage that dates back to its establishment in 1682 when Simon van der Stel ceded the land to a French Huguenot, François Villion. However, it was only after the estate was purchased by May de Lencquesaing in 2003 that Glenelly Estate became a wine estate of note.

May de Lencquesaing's family has a centuries-long legacy in the wine industry. Since May's childhood in the heart of Bordeaux's vineyards, she had travelled the world and discovered the amazing diversity of terroirs, and on her first visit to Stellenbosch, she knew she wanted to realize her dream and start a new adventure outside of France. After visiting many vineyards, May de Lencquesaing, at the age of 78, recognized the exciting potential of Glenelly Estate, which was situated on the lower slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, and decided to acquire it in 2003. With the purchase of Glenelly Estate, May wanted to create quality wines by combining French heritage and South Africa's soil and microclimate. Her vision was to establish Glenelly Estate as a world-class estate that produces award-winning wines with power, elegance, and balance.

With a nod to French settlers 300 years prior, Lady May replaced the existing fruit trees and planted vines as a way to establish her vision that best utilizes the soils and microclimate of the valley, while also supporting local economic development and the community. While always endeavouring to positively contribute to every community where she is associated with, in South Africa, May de Lencquesaing is paying special attention within the Glenelly community by focusing on housing, training, and education for her employees' children.

Sustainability is also an important focus for the family. At Glenelly Estate, they do their utmost to ensure a minimal carbon footprint both in the vineyards and at the winery. Some of the steps they have taken towards a more sustainable future include promoting biodiversity and improving the soil life in the vineyards, while also avoiding herbicides or pesticides, as well as planting cover crops between the rows of vines. In 2018, Glenelly began experimenting with organic viticulture, and by 2025 they intend to be fully certified organic. Water resources are carefully managed by using a virtually closed system, with minimal irrigation. The state-of-the-art winery facility was built with environmentally friendly practices in mind. Some of the items built include the use of a 4-level gravity-fed cellar that is only exposed to the gentle morning sun, and a glass facade which allows for natural light and reduces electricity usage. Concrete with 15 km of pipes snaking through the walls and ceilings was used to construct the cellar - concrete because it is thermally very stable and needs very little energy to maintain, while the pipes have cool water running through them, which reduces energy usage by 70%. On the roof, there are cylindrical tubes (void formers) which lock air inside the structure, as well as solar panels which provide the winery with all the electricity it needs.

The label of every bottle of Glenelly wine has a 1783 stamp, which signifies the family's 250 years of involvement in the continues into the 21st century at Glenelly Estate in South Africa. The family's ancestor, Elie Miailhe, was granted the title of "Royal Wine Broker" in 1783, with May de Lencquesaing (neé Miailhe) continuing this tradition together with her grandchildren, Nicolas and Maxime Bureau.

This red wine is from Glenelly's Glass Collection range, which celebrates May's lifelong passion for the art of glassmaking. It is crafted using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was selected from various parcels grown on the slopes of Glenelly. The grapes were harvested and brought into the winery where they were lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks. It was wild fermented using natural ambient yeast with a mixture of rack-and-returns and open pump-overs, followed by post-fermentation skin contact which lasted for 2 to 3 weeks, and then undergoing a gentle press. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels and was racked, on average, every 4 months, and then matured in oak for 12 months.

The growing season began with an exceptionally warm and dry spring, which resulted in good and even bud burst, while temperatures were in-line with historical averages during flowering and berry set period, with significantly fewer fluctuations. Good rainfall towards the end of October replenished the dry soil profile, which resulted in stress-free flowering and berry set. Moderate climatic conditions during the growing season, as well as seasonal rainfall just before harvest, laid the foundation for a good harvest that produced grapes of excellent quality. Effective canopy management and helped promote ripening, and good levels of acidity and sugar. The sustained, moderate temperatures until the end of March led to effective plant functioning and full maturity, which resulted in great concentration, structure, and desired alcohol levels. From an excellent vintage, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

GLENELLY GLASS COLLECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13316) (XD) - $18.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a lovely, medium-high intensity nose that is fresh, balanced, and complex with red & black fruits, currant, cassis, blackberry, grilled herbs, mint, toasty oak spice, and savoury earth aromas. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious aroma replays joined by some ripe plummy notes and smoke adding further complexity on the flavour profile. Acids are fresh and juicy, while the supple, well-structured tannins have a slightly chalky textured grip that will soften with time. Nicely balanced throughout with blackberry, savoury earth, and smoky notes lingering on the long, crisp finish. A highly recommended buy to enjoy to the end of the decade. Score: 90+ pts

A few bottles of Glenelly's flagship Lady May is available at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered (while also collecting Air Miles) through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.