2019 Glenelly 'Lady May' Stellenbosch

“Youthful and pretty nose of fresh blackberries, fresh plums, cocoa, tobacco and pine cones. Elegant and beautifully framed, with fine and precise tannins, a medium to full body and a long, fresh finish. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 10% merlot. Drink from 2025.” “Youthful and pretty nose of fresh blackberries, fresh plums, cocoa, tobacco and pine cones. Elegant and beautifully framed, with fine and precise tannins, a medium to full body and a long, fresh finish. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 10% merlot. Drink from 2025.” Review Date: October 2023

“This is the vintage that broke the dreaded drought period, and this lady comes out singing in the much-needed rain. The Glenelly 2019 Stellenbosch Lady May is the estate's top wine. It represents a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Lady May is generally 70% to 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, but that number comes down in 2019, as the team looked for optimal ripeness. Because of the relatively cooler conditions, and the fact that light radiation stays high in South Africa after veraison, this wine is quite rich and vertical in intensity with licorice-like flavors. In fact, the winemaking team sought to tone it down a bit by reducing some of the new oak. The results are focused and sharp, and what Lady May shows in this vintage is a pretty sense of freshness with elegantly chalky tannins. Drink Date: 2025 – 2035” – Monica Larner Review Date: June 2025