Reyneke Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2019
By Christian Eedes, 24 February 2023
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The Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2019 from Stellenbosch biodynamic producer Reyneke is only the fourth release, the previous 2017 placing in the Top 10 of our 2020 category report sponsored by Prescient with a rating of 94.
Matured for 20 months in 100% new oak, the 2019 is again a compelling wine. Heady aromatics of cassis, black olive, earth, potpourri and incense while the palate has dense fruit matched by snappy acidity and grippy tannins, the finish very dry. It’s massively flavourful and shows plenty of grunt despite a relatively modest alcohol of 13.5%. Price: R1 070 a bottle.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
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PK | 27 February 2023
Slippery slope if wineries have to start justifying their pricing to the consumer. To a certain degree can’t have the tail wagging the dog.
All that I would say is, a reserve release CS from some of the most sustainably farmed vineyards in the country, by the guy who almost single handedly changed the way people approach grape farming in the industry. If you understand farming and more specifically the philosophy behind sustainability and biodynamics, as well as the challenges that come with it, with all due respect to all the estates and producers mentioned above, Johan Reyneke is still perched above the rest.
PK | 27 February 2023
Gareth, think it may be time for us to see the bigger picture with some of our countries biggest treasures. And what I am referring to here is Johan Reyneke and what he has achieved and is still doing for South Africa in terms of farming and viticulture. Johan is our Nicolas Joly or Elisabetta Foradori, his knowledge, passion and wines should be treasured and celebrated. Look past the price and rather than have a knee-jerk reaction the price tag, wonder what that bottle may taste like and like so may of us wine lovers dream about the day one may be lucky enough to open a bottle or share a glass and by doing so celebrate one of our true treasures and legends of the industry, Johan Reyneke.
Goes without saying what the input costs are and not to mention the risk you run from the outset with this method of philosophy of farming. Let’s celebrate rather than always have a go at the price of the bottle first. Yes, not everyone will be able to afford a bottle or ever taste it, but then you do have quite a few other wines from the estate that you can enjoy at various price points.
Gareth | 27 February 2023
Hi PK. Nice of you to respond. I guess where I am coming from is that this is a fairly new offering and the pricing is aspirational in my opinion. This wine is priced at 165% (!) the price of the already quite expensive Reyneke Reserve Red, with very little in the way of track record.
This is considerably more expensive than the perennially excellent Kanonkop Cab (& Paul Sauer), Le Riche Reserve Cab, Rustenberg Peter Barlow, Hartenberg McKenzie, Sadie Columella (I know not Cab-led but nevertheless a benchmark wine), etc.
So what justification is there to enter the market at the very highest price point? I have tried quite a few Reyneke wines and my personal opinion is that they are definitely solid offerings, but slightly over-hyped. That is just my opinion of course.
Gareth | 24 February 2023
It looks pretty enough and sounds pleasant, but hardly cheap at R965, is it? I’d be tempted to stick with the likes of Le Riche for that kind of money – or Kanonkop for considerably less