Glenelly Lady May 2015

By , 25 January 2021

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12

The 2015 vintage of Lady May, the top-end Cape Bordeaux red blend from Stellenbosch property Glenelly, is due for release shortly and winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain recently hosted a small tasting to see how his wine might fare against two leading examples of the same vintage from Bordeaux, namely Rauzan-Ségla 2015 from Margaux and Cos d’Estournel from Saint Estèphe, both second growths. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Glenelly Lady May 2015
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. Cassis, violets, fynbos and dark chocolate on the nose – that much more immediate and expressive than either of its two Bordeaux counterparts. The palate is full but balanced with dense fruit, good freshness and firm but fine tannins. Showing both focus and poise, this was my top wine of the trio right now although I did wonder if it will last quite as long.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

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Chateau Rauzan-Ségla 2015
63% Cabernet Sauvigno, 33% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Red and black berries, some evocative floral perfume and a touch of oystershell. The palate is medium bodied with a nice energy about it – fresh with fine tannins. Tighly wound, elegant and refined.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Chateau Cos d’Estournel 2015
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc. Cassis, turned earth, oak spice and a little boot polish on the nose. The palate is rich and broad with sweet, dense fruit and polished tannins, the finish gently savoury. Compelling on account of its reined-in power.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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Comments

12 comment(s)

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    Billabong | 7 May 2022

    I was very unimpressed by Glenelly when I visited the property a few years ago. The investment in the wine making facilities was there for all to see, but the results in the bottle were very underwhelming. It struck me as we drove in that the proprietor doesn’t live at the property. A proud resident owner of Cape Wine estate, would never allow weeds to grow all along the entrance drive. Somebody needs to give the place a proper shake up. Of the flight of wines we tasted, two were oxidised and undrinkable. The wine waiter seemed to be aware of the problem as his face had a look of resignation on it when we complained. As I drove out, I had another look at the weeds on the driveway and just shook my head.

    David Kleyn | 8 November 2021

    An interesting comparison, and a valid one given that all 3 were taken from an excellent vintage in their respective geographies, and all 3 are in a somewhat similar style. And what would be even more interesting would be to repeat the same tasting at 10, 15 and 20 years of age.

    Pat Naidoo | 26 January 2021

    When can we order 😁🍾

    Daryl | 25 January 2021

    Both the Cos & Rauzan-Segla 2015s are great wines, but I wouldn’t even consider opening them before 2025-30. They will drink exceptionally for another decade after that!

    GillesP | 25 January 2021

    A bit pointless to compare this wine now with these 2 fabulous Bordeaux which won’t reveal anything at 5 years of age. In 5 to 10 years from now, they will outclass the Lady May by miles.

    Christian Eedes | 25 January 2021

    Hi Dion and Hennie,

    Maturation lasted 24 months in 100% new oak and analysis is as follows:
    Alcohol: 14.5%
    TA: 5.7g/l
    pH: 3.52
    RS: 2.1g/l

    My comment regarding age-worthiness is prompted simply by the fact that the Lady May 2015 already appears that much more accessible than either of the two wines from Bordeaux. That said, I think the local 2015 vintage is indeed pretty special and the top wines should go quite a bit longer than the usual 10 or so years that modern SA reds have tended to offer… earlier in the day, O’Cuinneagain poured a vertical of Lady May from 2008 to 2017 and the 2011, for instance, is only hitting its straps now.

    Dion Martin | 25 January 2021

    Dear Christian

    You say that you have your doubts if the wine will last quite as long. Could you maybe expand a little as to why you feel that way.

    Cheers

    Hennie C | 25 January 2021

    Hi Christian

    Do you have the technical analysis available for the Glenelly?

      Hennie C | 25 January 2021

      Sorry, and can you also elaborate why you say it won’t last as long? What do you consider is a long time? And is it in the Bordeaux context or the South African context?

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