Le Bonheur Prima 1990
By Christian Eedes, 26 February 2024
-
Share:
9
According to the 1995 edition of Platter’s, Prima 1990 from Stellenbosch property Le Bonheur consists of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured in mostly new oak for some 18 months – it rated 4 Stars, the tasting note describing it as “balanced, perhaps less extrovert than debut 1989”.
Nearly 30 years on, it continues to drink well. Red and black berries, some leafiness, a touch of mint, oystershell, earth, mushroom and meatstock on the nose while the palate is relatively full and flavourful – great fruit expression and weight, the acidity perhaps a little tart but adding life, the tannins mellow. Alcohol: 12.5%.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
Check out our South African wine ratings database.
-
Share:
Gareth | 26 February 2024
I love the label!
Tim James | 26 February 2024
Mike Woodhead made some truly excellent wines for Le Bonheur in the 1980s – including sauvignon blanc. The Cabs of the mid years especially, also Prima. I recall in my book many discussions about the relative merits of the 1984 and 1986 Cabs. Unfortunately he was linked to the Bergkelder and, the story goes, was finessed out of his property and it became part of the Lusan Holdings venture of Distell – one which managed to degrade many famous properties/labels in the cause of higher yields. Think also Alto. So Woodhead’s famously good vineyard work was undone and replanting took place to achieve those higher yields – the reultant wines weren’t poor, but nothing like Woodhead’s. The present owners of these properties seem dedicated to returning them to their former glory, happily.
Kwispedoor | 26 February 2024
Those were two fantastic Cabernets, Tim. I recall that the 1984 was 13.5% ABV. Which was your favourite of the two? The ’84 pipped the ’86 for me.
Tim James | 26 February 2024
Gosh, Kwisp. I really can’t remember a quarter of a century later…! I’m happy enough to remember that it was fun arguing about their respective merits back then, while the levels in the bottles sank. And we probably tried some bottles of Rubicon and Welgemeend and Delheim Grand Reserve to compare (Kanonkop Paul Sauer not really featuring as I recall – but why? a memory fault?). The 1980s wines are now rather reviled, but (noting your earlier remark about the alcohol level), I think that, as far as Bordeaux blends went, the best handful from the 1980s (and bring in Rustenberg red) trumped much of the richer, riper, oakier vintages from various producers that followed in subsequent decades (Crescendo, especially 1997, excepted). Just saying….
Kwispedoor | 26 February 2024
I also recall drinking less Paul Sauer back then (though we drank quite a bit of their Pinotage) – perhaps it wasn’t so easily obtainable (or affordable) up in Gauteng? I fondly remember Uitkyk (especially the 1982), Stellenryck and some others, too – the 1984 Blaauwklippen Reserve was excellent. Of the second half of the eighties, the ’86 & ’87 Klein Constantia Cabernets shifted the goalposts, along with Thelema (especially the 1989), both flaunting the Schleip clone. Also Warwick, Rust & Vrede, etc. etc. Special mention goes to the Buitenverwachting Grand Vin (forerunner of the Christine) 1989, which was spectacular. Thanks for reminiscing with me!
Kwispedoor | 26 February 2024
12.5% ABV red Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style wines – I miss those days!
Greg Sherwood | 26 February 2024
Old Sakkie Kotze made some pretty bullet proof wines back then. Great to see that they are still drinking well. Many (or even most) similarly modest priced Bordeaux reds of the same age would be dead as a dodo now… with the exception of the top Cru Classe wines. A true testament to the ageability of South African wines.
Christian Eedes | 26 February 2024
Hi Greg, As I understand, Kotze came on board in 1994 – the 1990 was made by Michael Woodhead. Even more staggering about the Prima 1990, is that it sold for R15 a bottle on release…
Mike Froud of Top Wine SA | 26 February 2024
Interesting that the current release Le Bonheur Prima (2021) selling for R130pb is 68% Petit Verdot and zero Merlot, with the ABV at 13.4% – according to their tasting notes. The producer recommends that you shouldn’t keep it for longer than 10 years…