Wine Composition

35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc

Winemaker Comments 

The Estate Reserve is the signature red blend of Glenelly. It combines the rich and savoury character of the Syrah (pepper and spices) with Cabernet Sauvignon (blackberries, cherries and floral spices) and with touches of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The blend is different with every vintage. The wine offers fine tannins supported by ripe fresh fruit and hints of spices.

Awards

Tim Atkin | 93 pts

Technical Analysis

Alcohol Percentage

14.5% 

Total Acidity 

5.43 g/l

pH

3.60 

RS

2.27 g/l 

Vinification

The grapes were hand-sorted and lightly crushed into stainless steel fermentation tanks. They were given a cold soak for three days before allowing the natural fermentation to start. Three pump overs a day were done on the tanks during fermentation, after which they underwent extended skin contact for 2-3 weeks. The wine was placed in French oak barrels to undergo malolactic fermentation. Matured for 18 months in French oak and racked, on average, every four months 

Winemaker

Luke O’Cuinneagain

Winery

The Glenelly Estate is in the Idas Valley, located in Stellenbosch, on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. This estate of 128 hectares formerly devoted to fruit production had, thanks to its terroir, a vocation for wine producing, which has been a specialty of this region since the seventeenth century. An exhaustive study of soil and weather conditions lead to the planting of 60 hectares of red varieties, 6 hectares of white and 5 hectares of olive trees. Central to this impressive circle of mountains, vineyards and olive groves, lies the 'Manor House' in the Cape Dutch style, white walls and thatched roof, surrounded by newly renovated farm buildings and beautiful gardens. Four lakes provide water supply whilst the flora and fauna add to the beauty of this site. The year 2009 saw the inauguration of the winery: 6,000 m² anchored in the mountains on 4 floors functioning by gravity flow. This very modern structure was designed as an excellent environmentally friendly working tool (consumption of electricity and water reduced, keeping constant temperature etc...)