Strydom current releases

Louis and Rianie Strydom are a winemaking couple, each hugely successful in their own right, he currently head winemaker and managing director of Ernie Els Wines, she the winemaker at Cavalli, having previously excelled at Morgenhof and Haskell.

They established their own label dates as far back as 2009 and the Rex Cabernet Sauvignon has been a consistent top performer in our category report sponsored by Prescient. While grapes are bought in from select Stellenbosch sites for some of their wines, they also have their own property on the R44 below the Simonsberg, where their eldest son Jean-Louis, who trained at Elsenberg, assists. Tasting notes and ratings for some of the current releases as follows:

Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault 2021
Price: R160
Matured for 12 months in second- and third-fill barrels. Cherry, cassis and fresh herbs on the nose while the palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Poised and taut – super everyday drinking. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Legends & Myths Cinsault 2023
Price: R260
Own fruit. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for nine months in neutral 300-litre barrels. Red cherry, floral fragrance and a hint of fresh herbs. Pure fruit, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Good clarity and focus – not too light-bodied and nicely dry on the finish. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Épice Cabernet Franc 2020
Price: R480
Matured for 18 months in barrel, 50% new. Subtle and engaging aromatics of red berries, rose, the merest hint of herbs and touches of vanilla and spice. The nose is medium bodied with pure fruit and fine-grained, tightly packed tannins, the finish dry. Pure, harmonious and just very classy. Alc: 14%. Only 350 bottles made.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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