Reviews & Ratings

2017 Glenelly South African (Red Blend) "Estate Reserve"

Winery: Glenelly

Vintage: 2017

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Estate Reserve"

Wine Category: South African (Red Blend)

Grape blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot & 5% Cabernet Franc

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Stellenbosch

State or country: South Africa

Price: $25

Cases produced: 10,213

KWG Score: 90.9 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91.5)

Review date: May 26, 2025

Wine Review: This midnight purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from South Africa was held back and recently sent to us for review. It opens with a blackberry and cigar box bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, dense, and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is blackberry and stony minerality blend with notes of menthol and tobacco. I also detected hints of blueberry, English Breakfast tea, and oak. The finish is dry and its flavors, acidity, and resolved tannins fade away nicely. I would pair this South Africa red blend with Jiko’s wild boar tenderloin. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Glenelly Estate Reserve is the signature red blend of the Estate and is based on the classic Claret blend from the 1700s. Rich cassis and mulberry with cedar and tobacco reveal Cabernet as the backbone to this blend. On the mid palate red and black cherry accompanied by a hint of black pepper spice highlights the Syrah's contribution. Intense fruit flavors are layered with mocha, Christmas cake, sandalwood and leather, bringing complexity to the wine, balanced by fresh, fruity acidity, the wine’s firm tannins lead to a clean, dry finish, promising excellent ageing potential.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Glenelly 2017 Estate Reserve.