Glenelly Lady May 2019

Perhaps because of Glenelly’s obvious and deep connections to Bordeaux, those who are custodians of the label are never scared to show their pinnacle wine next to the best of southwest France – founded by May de Lencquesaing of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, it is now run by her grandson Nicolas Bureau.

To mark the launch of the Lady May 2019, the 2017 was tasted blind next to Smith Haut Lafitte 2016, both wines that I rated 97 on the night; the 2018 next to Lynches Bages 2018, where the relative difficulties of that vintage locally were apparent (93 for Glenelly, 96 for Lynch Bages) and then finally the 2019 next to Domaine de Chevalier 2019, where I had the Pessac-Léognan wine on 95 and the Stellenbosch wine on 96.

Tasting note for Lady May 2019 (R850 a bottle) as follows:

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet franc, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Initially, the wine spent 12 months aging as individual components in 30 – 40% first-fill barrels. After blending, it was returned to 75% first-fill barrels for an additional 12 months. Rose, quite pronounced but entirely pleasant herbal character, red and black berries and pencil shavings on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied compared to vintages like 2015 and 2016 – a wine of purity and brightness. Poised and intricate with powdery tannins, the finish long and marked by a slight salty quality. Alc: 14.5%.