Le Riche

– Stellenbosch

I wonder if the guys at Salix handmade cricket bats fret over what Slazenger are doing or if the shoemakers at Crockett & Jones have to keep an eye on the progress of the new Asos brogue. 

Sitting down at the table with winemaker Christo Le Riche and his sister Yvonne I was quite surprised to hear there is a hint of jealousy when they talk of the bubbling interest in the new wave of South African winemaking. The fact they’ll never be mentioned in the same breath as skin fermented Chenin Blanc or a Palomino aged under Flor appears to irk them slightly – I’ve no idea why though, they are the masters of classic, traditional Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon. Elegance, purity, balance and poise might not be in the hipster dictionary of wine, but they are traits that should appeal to real fans of skilled winemaking.

Le Riche was founded by Etienne in 1996 after 20 years winemaking with Rustenberg. Son Christo has now followed in his father’s footsteps, ensuring that the pillars of consistent and traditional winemaking remain at the heart of everything they do. There are obvious comparisons to be made to left-bank Bordeaux but that is never the aim at Le Riche, this is all about sourcing grapes from the best plots that Stellenbosch has to offer to craft superb wines with cellaring potential. Production at Le Riche is small, only 8000 cases leave the winery, they are the very definition of a modern classic.