Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 vs Zuccardi Poligonos Paraje Altamira Malbec Red Wine

Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

A Stellenbosch classic from one of South Africa’s most acclaimed Cabernet producers. Expertly crafted from four distinct terroirs, ranging from the cool, gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich, red granitic soils around Stellenbosch. The 2022 vintage was awarded 93 points in Tim Atkin’s 2024 South Africa Report, reflecting its purity, elegance, and balance. Meet the producer Le Riche is a family-run estate founded by Etienne Le Riche in 1996, situated near the historic town of Stellenbosch. The estate is dedicated to producing high-quality, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends, combining meticulous vineyard management with traditional winemaking practices. Production Fruit is sourced from vineyards across Firgrove, Raithby, and Jonkershoek wards, with soils ranging from sandy gravel to sandy/loamy granite. Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, bunch sorted, and vinified in open-top fermenters. Each vineyard block is fermented separately to preserve its unique characteristics. After several months of maturation, the final blend is created and aged for 12 months in French oak barriques, 25% new, before bottling. Tasting notes The nose is pure and varietal, with cassis, black cherry, violet, and cedar spice. The palate is ripe and fruit-forward, with fresh blackcurrant flavours, lively acidity, and well-integrated oak. Fine-grained tannins support a long, elegant finish, making this a structured yet approachable Cabernet. Food match Perfect with slow-cooked lamb shank, rich beef stews, or hearty vegetable stews. Grape Cabernet Sauvignon 100%