Glenelly Lady May 2021
By Christian Eedes, 10 May 2026
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The pinnacle red blend that is Lady May from Stellenbosch property Glenelly is a triumph – tasted alongside the 2015 and 2017, both profoundly accomplished in their own right, the 2021 vintage is, to my mind, finer still.
A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, it was matured for 12 months in barrel, 40% new before a further 12 months in barrel, 70% new. Alc: 14.5%.
The nose shows plum, cassis, violets, incense, pencil shavings and a faint trace of crushed leaf, though green character is all but absent. The wine is monumental in scale yet defined by clarity rather than weight. Fruit concentration is matched by vivid acidity, while the tannins are firm and architectural, pointing clearly to a long future ahead. It combines succulence with structure at the highest level and sets a new benchmark for Cape Bordeaux blends. Price: R1,080.
CE’s rating: 98 | Classic
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Just tasted the 2021 again last week. Superb as always. Crazy to think I wrote this wine up for Winemag in June 2024 already… on an early pre-pre-release snapshot tasting in London… and scored it 98/100!
Glenelly Lady May 2021, 14.5% Abv.
A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Dense dark and opaque in the glass with incredibly potent and pure fruited aromatics of creme de cassis, saline black currant, cherry tobacco, grilled herbs and subtle vanilla pod spice nuances. The palate embraces power and density showing fine chalky tannins, a real black and blue fruited intensity with just the most classically restrained, harmonious and elegant finish. This is a phenomenal red wine that registers quality wise in the highest of echelons of Cape Bordeaux Blends. (98/100 Greg Sherwood MW)