Glenelly Lady May 2017 Bottle size: 750ml

‘If the 2015 Lady May blockbuster resembles a powerful, dense, Pauillac-styled Cabernet Sauvignon led red blend, then the 2017 is pretty much the antithesis, boasting the most elegant, silky, seamlessly harmonious texture combined with an attractively fragrant, Margaux-esque delicacy and graceful precision. While super youthful, the wine inevitably displays some of the lush, alluring and reassuringly expensive new oak creaminess, boasting layers of warm buttered brown toast smothered in black currant preserve, fresh espresso, hints of mocha dust and delicate vanilla pod spice notes. But probably the most pleasing element about this wine is the way winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain has absolutely captured the truest essence of the 2017 vintage with its extreme purity, weightless fruit concentration that dances across the palate together with a focused, piercing intensity on the long, luxurious finish. This is class personified and I for one am completely smitten. Drink on release and over 25+ years.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 97/100

‘Very attractive aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, some leafiness and pencil shavings. Lovely clarity of fruit, bright acidity and firm but fine tannins. Excellent structure and focus, all the elements coming together to very pleasing effect. Youthful and on point, this should mature magnificently.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100

‘Right up there with the best Stellenbosch Bordeaux-style blends from the exceptional 2017 vintage, this is a distinguished, patrician wine where everything is in place: tannins, acidity, oak and fruit concentration. Marrying Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it has iodine and mint aromas, red berry and cassis flavours, subtle vanilla spice and impressive underlying structure. A red to cellar. 2024-35’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 97/100